Blooming panoramas: 12.0 km – 200 m elevation difference

Right from the start, we see blooming pear trees. We climb above Assent and can see far over this Hageland village. We briefly leave the junctions and let ourselves be guided by the WP arrows to find a lovely path with an even lovelier name: the Verkensdans Footpath. Between the fields and through a sunken road, we arrive at one of the mills of Aspirava. A magnificent panorama rewards our climbing efforts. In a wide curve, we descend to the Webbekomse Papenbroek, only to climb again to the bridge over the E314. Orchard trees abound here. The next landmark is the Rijnrodeberg, at 83 m the highest point of the eastern Hageland. Again, we walk among the orchards. Descend to the hamlet of Struik to traverse the deep sunken path through the iron sandstone slopes of the Hermansheuvel. Once again, we go underneath the E314, make a left bend with a view of the fast traffic on the highway, and Assent lies at our feet again.

Starting point: junction 308: 308 – 328 – follow 913: at the crossing of the Minnestraat, follow the Walking Stick arrows to the stairs down, at the end of the Verkensdans Footpath: now follow (straight ahead) 913 – 911 – 912 – 325 – 310 – 309 – 328: just after the tunnel under the E314: follow the Walking Stick arrows to the left, then sharply to the right and again to the left, now follow 308, downhill to the finish at the Linden Chapel.

Blossom info: To perfectly time your trip, we inform you that the first pear blossoms are expected from April 4th, with full bloom between April 10th and 15th. The majority of the orchards in and around Assent are pear trees.

Parking: There are a few parking spaces at the chapel itself, also parking across from the Assent church and parking in the Dorpsstraat (near the Theunis company).

Thanks to Eddy Broos!