Cycle loop 11 watermills on the Senne, Maelbeek, (Amelgemse) Molenbeek and Kleine Molenbeek. Departu

This cycle loop takes you along the 11 (remnants of) watermills along De Zenne, Maalbeek, (Amelgemse) Molenbeek and Kleine Molenbeek. These streams flow into each other or have a source very close to each other. As a result, this cycle loop is also a loop along natural watercourses that are connected to each other.
The GPX of the bicycle loop starts at the church in Weerde (Café 't Schoonzicht), from where we immediately follow the Senne in a southerly direction.
You can of course start and stop the loop at any other point.

According to the passage of the bicycle loop you have the following water connections and associated water mills:
On the Senne (upstream from Weerde to the mouth of the Maelbeek into the Senne):
Weerdemolen.

On the Maelbeek (upstream to the mouth of the Amelgem Molenbeek in the Maelbeek):
Oyenbrugmolen, Tommenmolen, Liermolen, 's Gravenmolen (where a little further on the mouth of the Amelgemse Molenbeek is located in the Maalbeek; see this POI ).

On the (Amelgemse) Molenbeek (upstream to its source):
Nekkermolen and Amelgemmolen.

The source of the (Amelgem) Molenbeek and the small Molenbeek originate on both sides of the ridge on which the Roman Baan is located through Brussegem (See POI). We cycle from one source to another via the shortest green road.

On the Kleine Molenbeek (from its source downstream to its mouth in the Grote Molenbeek):
Baggemolen, Drie Torens molen (or Ursenemolen -building unfortunately not visible from public land-), Koevoetmolen and Schemelbertmolen.

From the mouth of the Kleine Molenbeek into the Grote Molenbeek (above Puurs between Grote and Kleine Amer) there are no more watermills to be found. The Grote Molenbeek is called the Vliet from there, and we follow it downstream to the reservoir - between Ruisbroek and Wintam- where it is pumped into the Zeeschelde. Before the construction of this sea channel, it flowed into the slightly higher Rupel: From 1976 the Vliet was diked so that there are no tidal effects (and tidal floods) on this stream anymore). The Zeeschelde and the Rupel are connected by a (rarely used) lock in Klein Willebroek. Because the Grote Molenbeek no longer flows into the Rupel, not the Rupel but the Zeeschelde is included in the bicycle loop. Via a shortening along the water sports track Hazewinkel we drive to the Zennegat where the Senne flows into the Dijle (which forms the Rupel downstream after the confluence with the Nete.
From the Zennegat we follow the Senne to the starting point in Weerde.

You will find all the details about these mills or its remains at this location.

For most of them, the lockwork and water wheel are not visible from accessible terrain, the lockwork and water wheel have been partially or completely removed, or the lock walls and breakwater have also been removed.

Take the Interactive map, zoom in on the loop between Malderen (top left Londerzeel) and Weerde, and then click on the watermill POIs for the correct location, the streetscape and the current situation.

The most recent paved paths and landscaped cycle paths are used. And to stay close to the streams, they are crossed several times.
Other sights on the loop (see POIs): Boechout Castle, various chapels and (square) hooves, Fort of Lippelo, Klein Willebroek, etc. All this topped by many meanders and natural beauty. Certain small sections are not suitable for riding a road bike at 30km/h, so take your time every now and then.

Naming (which is not strictly used here):
The Grote Molenbeek is given the following names from its source to its mouth in the Zeeschelde (source NGI): Grote Molenbeek --> Lippelose Beek (after confluence with a stream from the Lippelobos at the Kasteel Hof te Melis) on the border Malderen (Londerzeel)-Lippelo --> Vliet (after confluence with the Klaverbeek -formerly Vondelbeek-) between Lippelo and Oppuurs.
Other sources speak of the name change Grote Molenbeek-->Vliet after the confluence Grote Molenbeek and the (small) Molenbeek northeast of Puurs.
The Maelbeek is given the following names from its source to its mouth in the Senne: Landbeek --> Maalbeek (from the Maalbeekstraat at the town hall in Wemmel).