The best traffic-free bike rides around Overpelt

Ballasthoeve is a rustic, old-fashioned café with two terraces and a children's playground. You can enjoy a delicious Belgian beer and/or a cup of coffee with Limburgse vlaai (a type of pie). The café is located in the Limburgse Kempen, a region known for its lush forests, greenery, and nature. Accommodation is available on-site or at the campsite.

The Sevensmolen, built around 1745 in Helchteren, now stands in the Heesakkerpark. This is the highest point of Overpelt. It is a post mill. This means that the entire mill body rotates around a huge wooden spindle, mounted on brick blocks. This system ensures that the sails can be turned in the direction of the wind. The mill is still in operation. In 1853, the mill was moved to the center of Overpelt. Until the end of the 50s, local farmers had their grain milled here. The municipality bought the mill in 1962 and moved it two years later to the new Heesakkerheidepark. Restorations followed in 1964 and 1989. The mill is managed by vzw Levende Molens Noord-Limburg.

This picnic spot with accompanying toys is located on Rozenstraat in Pelt. It is situated in Dorperheide, a heathland area west of Pelt, along the Vlaamse Fietsroute. The Vlaamse Fietsroute is an 830 km long route that runs from the coast via Bruges and Ghent, south of Antwerp, to the Maas and then back to Brussels along the border with Wallonia.

Nice cycling on a weekday, watch out for Drossaard Clercx and his scapegoat…

A huge marker with rounded curves on which is engraved Geodetic Station.

Construction of the rectory began in 1728 by Father Emmanuel de Rodier, a Premonstratensian canon from Floreffe. Located southwest of the parish church, the rectory is built in the Maas style, a rare feature of this region. The walled rectory garden lies in front of and behind the rectory. A detailed description and history can be found on the immovable heritage website: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/80376

The Ursuline convent, built in 1901 in an eclectic style with neo-Gothic and neo-Flemish Renaissance influences, was designed by architect Hyacinth Martens. The primary school (1902) and the convent farm (1908-1909) were designed by Hyacinth Martens, as was the convent building. The neo-Gothic chapel, designed by Canon Jan Broux, was added to the convent in 1909-1910. The sewing school, the Sacred Heart Chapel, and the statues of saints in the garden date from 1928-1929. A detailed description and history can be found on the immovable heritage website: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/80378

The parish of Overpelt was probably founded in the 13th century. In 1277, the right of patronage was granted to Floreffe Abbey. From the 16th century onward, the church grounds served as a fortification. For this purpose, the church grounds were surrounded by a moat and only accessible by a drawbridge. In 1568, for example, the population repeatedly sought refuge in the church tower when the surrounding area was made unsafe by various troops. The church sustained damage, which was repaired in 1600. In 1614, a new sacristy and a new porch were built. In 1865, the moat was filled in. In 1912, the old, walled church was demolished and a new one built. This was built in the Neo-Romanesque style. The architects were Hyacinth Martens and Vincent Lenertz. In 1928 and 1935, murals were painted by Peter Heidbüchel, which were later painted over. It is an oriented brick church building with an integrated, square west tower. This tower has four sections and a slightly constricted spire. The portal is adorned with a group of Saint Martin. Source: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Martinuskerk_(Overpelt)