Half marathon between Zenne and Leuvensevaart (Weerde Hofstade Schiplaken Elewijt)

21.1 km of quiet and low-traffic (more than 60% traffic-free) loop between the Zenne meanders and the Leuvensevaart, with the Blosodomein and the Schiplaken forest in between. All paths are asphalted or paved (easily walkable), except for a path along the Zenne meander at the E19, a cobblestone section in Schiplaken, and a short unpaved path in the Blosodomein.

The loop starts at Café Schoonzicht, across from the church in Weerde. Cross the Schumanlaan and stay on the left side when crossing the E19. Be careful at the on- and off-ramps, as the cars won’t see you coming!

Next to the Zenne, you take an underpass beneath the Weerde-Hofstade railway tracks. You leave the Zenne at the new Mechelen-Zaventem railway line. There you cross a road twice and arrive at the back side of the Plankendaal district. Carefully cross the busy Jubellaan and follow the apartment blocks on your right towards Leuvensevaart.

At the Leuvensevaart, turn right towards Leuven and take the 2nd right (after the railway line) to enter the back side of the Blosodomein Hofstade. Stay next to the railway line until you see an old pedestrian bridge on your left by the leisure water. At the other end of this water, you’ll see the beach Hofstade Plage. Follow this leisure water on your left towards the beach and take the old Tervuursesteenweg at the sports hotel (this is the path between the path by the leisure water and the ditch further south). Further north, this path continues at the ditch; take the first bridge on the right there and continue north along the ditch until you reach the Sportimonium.

Take the exit on the right there and cross the road (busy Molenheidebaan), Goorweg. Take the first non-dead-end street on the right, then left (Zevenbunderweg) towards the center of Schiplaken. Cross Bieststraat (Schleichweg) in the center and go straight up the Kassieweg (Gottendijsdreef, it’s easy to walk on the sides). Then take a right (Blokstraat), then a left (Caetersbosweg), and then twice right (Steentjesstraat, Meerbeeksebaan).

Then cross the intersection, go into Lange Ravestraat, and at the next intersection, turn right, then left into a residential area. Stay in this neighborhood heading west until you come across a path and the Bonekruidlaan leading to a small wood. On the left side of the wood, take the path to Leliestraat, and in the middle back left, a path that leads you to Tervuursesteenweg and Waversebaan, which you take to the left.

Then take a right on Rubenslaan over the E19 and you can already see your starting point appearing in the distance.