A cycling tour along one of the most photographed places in the cycling node network in Limburg, followed by a short reflection at a monastery. Meeting point in the parking lot of the Herkenrode monastery complex in Kuringen. With the parking lot on the right and the monastery on the left, you begin towards node 95. You ride through a small forest and then take the first side road on the left. Further ahead, you cross the Demer. At the T-junction, turn right and then left into Beemdweg. At the end, turn left again into Groenstraat. At Albert Canal, you turn right and ride under the bridge to node 95. Cycle away from the canal towards node 91. At the end of the road, turn right, cross the Albert Canal, and after the descent at the intersection, turn left into Galgebergstraat and immediately after, turn right into Semmestraat. You ride through a small forest, ignore a road to the left, and then turn right into a dirt path. After a picnic spot, you continue on a narrower path through the Platwijers nature reserve with beautiful ponds inhabited by swans, ducks, and deer. When you are back in civilization, you pass by a historic milestone that indicates the boundary between Hasselt and Zonhoven.

**Theme Park Feel**

Ride almost straight ahead until you reach the railway line. Cross this and then immediately turn left into Ranonkelstraat. You ride over a separate bike path and take the first street on the right, Vijverstraat. Follow this along the De Kievit primary school until you reach the traffic lights at the Kiewit church. Cross the N74 (Hasselt-Eindhoven) and follow Tulpinstraat until you can turn left into a church path. You pass a football field, cross Putvennestraat, and continue through Paalvennestraat until the small crossing with Kiewitdreef. Turn right at the sign “Welcome to the Kiewit provincial area.” You ride over a traffic grid and turn left at the first small intersection. Cross a main road and continue through the forest on an asphalt path for cyclists. At the T-junction, turn left to node 91. Our tour continues straight ahead towards node 92.

It is worth it to ride first to the right towards node 98. You literally cycle through the water, through one of the large ponds in the Bokrijk provincial area. You won’t get wet, as you ride through a 212 m long and 3 m wide ditch, where you sink until your head is level with the water surface, perhaps being able to look a duck or swan in the eye. Admire the pond from the other side and return to node 91. You will really get a theme park feel.

From node 91 to node 92. Straight through the forest towards node 71. You pass by “The Green House” and at node 71 choose the direction of node 79. You come onto a wide asphalt road and follow this to the right, over a wide cycle path. As you approach a main road, turn left into the forest towards “Houthalen for cyclists.” A bit further, you ride parallel to the N726 through the forest. Cross the Zonhoven-Genk road. On your right, you see a roundabout. Then continue through the forest, parallel to the N726, which is called Wagemanskeel here. When you exit the forest, you pass a small parking lot and shortly afterwards reach node 79. Turn left towards node 305. Now you enjoy the beautiful landscape of the De Teut nature reserve for over 6 km, with heath, sand dunes, and ponds. On the left is the Holsteenbron and Molenheide. You ride over an old track, sometimes between hedgerows, often a bit higher than the surrounding landscape, leading to beautiful views. At the most beautiful spots, there are picnic areas set up.

**Through the Vogelsanck Forest**

After crossing an asphalt road, you continue between backyards. Cross two more streets and just before the bridge with the N74, you reach node 305. Go straight under the bridge to node 300. Turn left there, towards node 301. At the end of the road, briefly follow Kriekelstraat to the right. Cross the railway and immediately after, turn left and continue along the railway. Then turn right into Nieuwstraat. At the small intersection with a white chapel, go straight to the T-junction. Turn left and immediately right into Nachtegalenstraat. At the end of this street, you're at node 301. Turn right towards node 302. Now follow the busy N72 over the bike path until you can turn left into the unpaved Vrunstraat just before the town sign of Zolder. You now continue through a beautiful avenue and through Vogelsanck forest, past a nice large pond. After a left-right curve, you return to asphalt and are back in civilization. Continue through Vrunstraat between the loose development and past the KAJOBA sports hall until you reach the roundabout in the center of Bolderberg. Go straight ahead, next to the Brasserie-Hotel Savarin, into Galgeneinde.

**Garden Full of Herbs and Inspiration**

You ride past the restaurant ’t Bolderke, the Bovy leisure area, and some spacious villas up to node 302 at the Albert Canal. Turn left and follow the canal to node 93, just before the bridge over the canal. Here, make a hairpin turn to the left and ride somewhat parallel to the canal towards node 94.

At the fork, choose right and ride along the Brasserie Het Krom Ven until the main road. Follow this on the right and cross the Albert Canal. On the other side, you are already at node 94. Turn left towards the canal, towards node 95. Do not follow the jaagpad, but turn right with the road and ride away from the canal. Then, right into Sint-Amandusstraat and turn left just after the community center into Schabbestraat. This immediately bends to the right, but you go straight on the narrow path and pass by Lavendelhoeve. You cross a stream and can already see the Herkenrode monastery complex. Cross the Demer and turn left. You are now riding on asphalt along Herkenrodemolen. Continue along the herb and inspiration garden to the heart of the monastery complex and take your time to admire the remise, the interest barn, the stables, the gatekeeper's house, and the gatehouse. In the converted horse stables, you can get something to eat and drink. Ride through the gatehouse and the beautiful avenue to the parking lot.