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Gravel network Noorderkempen

Discover four new gravel routes through the most beautiful nature of the Kempen

From March 28, 2026, eleven municipalities of the Sports Region Noorderkempen will open a new permanent gravel network. Four special gravel loops (64–101 km) let you experience heathland, forest, colonies, open agricultural land, and charming village centers.

Start from the historic site Merksplas-Kolonie, a protected landscape with monumental buildings, a visitor center, wide avenues, and cozy hospitality establishments.

Festive opening – March 28, 2026

During the launch, enjoy:

• Tour for all levels
• Social Ride with Belgian gravel and cyclocross top riders
• Start2Gravel initiation
• Strava Challenges on all four loops
• Bicycle fair & bike café

All routes start at:

Visitor Center Kolonie 5-7 – Kapelstraat, Merksplas

Hospitality on/next to the site:

• https://www.colonie7.be – brasserie in the heart of the colonies [tripadvisor.nl]
• ’t Hofeind – sports café / brasserie listed in RouteYou [rijkevorsel.be]

1. Strawberry Roads – 64.8 km

This route leads towards Hoogstraten, the center of Belgian strawberry cultivation.

Attractions along the way

• Strawberry Route – greenhouses, fields & Mark valley
• Sint-Katharinakerk
• Begijnhof Hoogstraten – UNESCO-worthy heritage

Hospitality tips

• Cozy cafés along the Vrijheid
• Strawberry vending machines & farm shops in the region

2. Tripel Gravel – 66.8 km

A varied route through Rijkevorsel, Malle, Zoersel, and Beerse

Attractions along the way

• Nature Reserve Lovenhoek
• Wortel-Kolonie (UNESCO)
• Warandeplas
• Cultural heart Zoersel

Hospitality tips

• Wechelderzande – Castle Hof d’Interre → plenty of hospitality in the village center
• Brasseries & cafés in Zoersel, Malle, and Beerse

3. Ravel Ride – 92 km

A rural, rugged loop via Poppel and Ravels.

Attractions along the way

• Poppels Mooiste – border & smuggling stories
• Regional forests Ravels – 1000 ha nature
• Bels Lijntje – historic railway/bike path
• Poppel nature walk – Aa & Leij

Hospitality tips

Poppel

• De Nieuwe Burcht
• Village
• Barabas

Ravels – local stops:

• Café Van Dun
• Restaurant Namaste
• Papaoutai – ice cream by the canal

4. Dusty Donk – 101 km

Longest loop via Turnhout, Arendonk, and Retie.

Attractions along the way

• Landscape De Liereman – top nature and visitor center
• Watermill of Retie

Hospitality tips

• Turnhout: numerous cafés around the Grote Markt
• Retie: village square with various brasseries
• Arendonk: stopping spots along the junction network