Our gravel routes are not signposted. They can only be ridden via GPS.
👉 Download the GPX track to follow your route.

 

 

Gravel Network Noorderkempen

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

Starting 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) will let you experience heathland, forests, colonies, open farmland, and charming villages.

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

Festive opening – March 28, 2026

During the launch, you can enjoy:

• Tour for all levels
• Social Ride with Belgian gravel and cyclocross stars
• Start2Gravel initiation
• Strava Challenges on all four loops
• Bike 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 heads towards Hoogstraten, the center of Belgian strawberry cultivation.

Sights along the way

• Strawberry Route – greenhouses, fields & Mark Valley
• Sint‑Katharinakerk
• Beguinage Hoogstraten – UNESCO-worthy heritage

Hospitality tips

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

2. Tripel Gravel – 66.8 km

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

Sights along the way

• Lovenhoek Nature Reserve
• Wortel-Colony (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, tough loop via Poppel and Ravels.

Sights along the way

• Poppels Mooiste – border & smuggling stories
• Ravels Regional Forests – 1000 ha of 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.

Sights 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: stop locations along the junction network