E-biking in the Noorderkempen between two canals

The Noorderkempen is a region with poor sandy soils with numerous forest and heath landscapes. You will find few old or large cities with the exception of Turnhout, where you cycle along, but not through, which is also called the "capital of the Kempen". The region was sparsely populated, and chosen by monks who sought silence. It is no coincidence that you will find delicious abbey beers here.

You cycle here between the two canals Kessel-Schoten and Bocholt-Herentlas.

Not to be missed along this route

• Postel Abbey: It is the Norbertines who have been mining the region here since the 12th century. Because of their white pij they are called 'withers'. To support themselves, they brewed beer and made cheese, highly appreciated by tourists. The abbey beer of Postel is named after this abbey but is now brewed in Opwijk.
• Sas 4 Tower: From the Sas4 tower you can see the three canals Bocholt-Herentals, Dessel-Schoten and Dessel-Kwaadmechelen, unique in Europe. But you also see the sand extraction exploitation and the dozens of immense lakes, such as the Zilvermeer, that have been created by this over the past hundred years. After sucking away the white sand, these lakes were transformed into recreational waters or nature reserves.
• Watermill of Retie

What you need to know

• Arendonk is the birthplace of Rik van Steenbergen
• In the Middle Ages, the plague regularly hit these parts hard. Entire generations succumbed to this incurable and highly contagious disease. To prevent further spread of the horrific disease, doomed villagers were locked up in so-called 'plague houses'. Such a house can also be found within the abbey walls in Postel. It probably dates from the 17th century.
• You cycle around Retie. A famous musical family of Retie is the Dex family.
• In the Prinsenpark in Retie is the '' tree of the Forest Pooper'' from the series "Of Flesh and Blood".

Stop tips

• Gasthof De Beiaard in Postel
• Pancake boat in Dessel