Trappist bike route

On this route, it sometimes seems as if you are cycling through a weekend house of the city of Antwerp. Many Antwerp residents spend weekends here or even stay permanently. The forests, especially around Zoersel, are highly valued building land.
On your bike tour, you will see some of the modest little houses that stand among the trees. But the most pleasant part of the route is undoubtedly around the Abbey of Westmalle. And this has nothing to do with a preference for the locally brewed beer. In all the greenery, often in the form of majestic avenues, even the most stressed cyclist must be able to take a moment to relax, even if one of the avenues is called Nooitrust by the Abbey.
The origin of the Abbey dates back to the time of the French Revolution. Some fleeing Cistercian monks from Cîteaux arrived in Westmalle at that time.
In the homestead Nooitrust, they officially founded their monastery in 1794. As one can expect from the French, the monks initially produced wine. The street name Wijngaardstraat still reminds us of this. Since the water they drank was not always of good quality, they received permission in 1836 to brew beer for their own use. Almost a century later, in 1934, they built a new brewery and sold their beer outside the monastery: the delicious Westmalle Trappist entered the outside world and has become indispensable.

DIRECTIONS
Bicycle junction network Province of Antwerp.

SAFETY
Several times you will have to cross a busy road.

Predominantly rural and wooded roads. 40% traffic-free.

RECOMMENDED STARTING POINT
Abbey of Westmalle.

INFORMATION
Tourism Malle, Town Hall, Antwerpsesteenweg 246, 2390 Malle, 03 310 05 14, toerismemalle@publilink.be, www.toerisme-malle.be.

Tourism Zoersel, Lindepaviljoen, Oostmallebaan 15, 2980 Zoersel, 03 312 94 10, toerisme@zoersel.be, www.zoersel.be.

BIKE RENTAL
Bicycle Center Hermans, Antwerpsesteenweg 139, Westmalle, 03 311 65 97.

Tavern Eikelspark, Antwerpsesteenweg 506, Westmalle, 03 383 09 58.

FOOD AND DRINK
Café Trappisten, Antwerpse Steenweg 487, 2390 Westmalle, 03 312 05 02.
info@trappisten.be, www.trappisten.be. Very spacious establishment, classically furnished, where you can of course drink all the Trappists from Westmalle and where a wide range of snacks, sandwiches, or waffles is served. Located opposite an access road to the Abbey of Westmalle.