For the second "Bike and Hiking Tour of the Month", a project by the Landelijke Gilden (www.landelijkegilden.be), which started in January 2018, we are heading to the northwest of Limburg's Haspengouw. At the border of the rural municipality of Nieuwerkerken and the city of Sint-Truiden, we will discover the beautiful, typical landscape of Haspengouw. We start in the village of Binderveld, a district of Nieuwerkerken. The village has a rich history and used to belong to the County of Loon. The hike also passes through the villages of Runkelen and Metsteren, districts of Sint-Truiden. Wide landscapes and fruit orchards characterize the scenery.

Haspengouw
Haspengouw is a landscape and the fruit region of Western Europe. Here, one can take beautiful hikes and bike tours along sunken paths, past old castles and square farms, through a landscape with fragrant fruit trees, colorful fields, and breathtaking views, created and maintained by farmers and gardeners.

Binderveld
Binderveld is the smallest of the four districts of Nieuwerkerken. Here, only about 650 residents live, but the village has a rich history in Haspengouw and a thriving community life. It was a dominion that developed around the Binderveld castle and belonged to the County of Loon.

Runkelen
Runkelen (district of Sint-Truiden) was first mentioned in 1366 as Runkeren and is located 5 km from Sint-Truiden. The farming village has developed into a linear village, but fruit growing is still prominently visible. The Melsterbeek forms the northern and eastern border.

Metsteren
Metsteren is a hamlet with not even 300 inhabitants and belongs to the village of Melveren (district of Sint-Truiden). Sights include a castle at the site of the convent of Nonnenmielen, the Sint-Niklaashoeve, and the Metsterenmolen.