Werchter on the Rocks

Werchter is a Flemish Brabant village at the confluence of Demer and Dijle, where thousands of young people go to the famous rock festival every year in the beginning of the summer. Along the banks of the Dijle, this route takes you to the vicinity of the rock meadow. But a few pedal strokes further you are already in the quiet green of Tremelo and Keerbergen.

1. Departure at the church of Werchter. To the left follow the St.-Janstraat which after 50 m becomes the Twee Bruggenstraat. At the end do not turn left but turn right (Amerstraat) towards junction 25, this is the Pater Damiaandijk, and follow the path to the Dijledijk. You cycle on the semi-paved dike path to the right, towards Keerbergen, then over a bridge over the mouth of the Laak. Ignore the exit to Ninde. (Here are works and you have to leave the dike for a while). After 6 km of cycling fun along the Dijle you leave the river and cycle on the bridge on the right along the Haachtsebaan. After 500 m, at the cottage with no. 153 (sign Brabantse Kempenroute), cross the road to the left and follow the forest path that turns into the Karkietweg until the Dijlestraat, where you turn left. You now cycle through the Dijlemeersen along meadows with occasionally even an authentic cattle drinking pool. Follow the long, winding Dijlestraat until it turns right into E. Opdebeecklaan. At the roundabout, keep to the right and continue to follow Opdebeecklaan. At the crossroads for Brasserie Estaminet, you choose the Opdebeecklaan again. At the next fork, after 200 meters, you cycle diagonally right into the Rijmenamsebaan (no street sign).
2. Always keep pedaling straight ahead, over the intersection and continue straight ahead on the Rijmenamsebaan. The Mechelsebaan is the next intersection you cross. Follow the direction Schriek on the Kempenlaan. You cycle through the green belt around Keerbergen. Cross the Putsebaan and cycle along the right side of the track past the school complex. You continue cycling straight ahead in the Kempenlaan, over three intersections, after which the Kempenlaan narrows. Then you do not follow the Kempenlaan to the right but cycle straight ahead in the Roggestraat and then on the T diagonally to the left into the Molenstraat. On the open terrain is the Heimolen to be restored with picnic area. With the mill on your left, you cycle right into the A. Cleynhenslaan. After 300m you cycle right into the Torteldreef. Then you have to turn left onto the first street. This is also the Torteldreef. Now keep pedaling straight until you reach a T-junction (actually a very slanted intersection). Here you cycle next to a school on the left in the Nachtegalendreef. Turn right into the next street, this is still the Nachtegalendreef. At the end turn left, again Nightingale Drive, and 50 m further to the right turn into the Partridge Drive.
3. At the end, follow the Mereldreef on the right, which then turns into the Vlieghavenlaan. There are picnic tables with a view of Lake Keerbergen. You follow the Vlieghavenlaan around the lake without seeing it. Ignore the Mereldreef and the other side roads and continue to follow the Vlieghavenlaan until the intersection with the Nieuwstraat that you cross and continue to follow the Vlieghavenlaan until the Heidestraat, which you follow straight ahead. 50 m further on a T turn right, still following the Heidestraat. At the end, take the Bollostraat on the left until you reach the crossroads where you drive right into the Ruandadreef. You continue to follow this until you reach the busy Kruisbaan that you cross to the Basdongenstraat. Ignore all side streets and continue cycling to the signpost to the Damien Museum. By the way, this is the Damiaanstraat, which you follow on the left until you reach the Damien monument. The museum in his birthplace is located on the corner of the street on the right. After a possible visit, you will return to the T-junction and drive straight ahead. From now on you follow the Dijle valley route to the left, first Damiaanstraat, a little further this will be Beverlaak. You continue to follow this until you reach the center of Werchter. There you will pass the former brewery Van Roost. From here you can see the church and the terraces are waiting to quench your thirst.