The best traffic-free bike rides around Zemst

This is a bridge with a beautiful view of the landscape and can be used on a tour along the Dijle.

Ideal for speeding up (if the wind is favorable)

Ideal for speeding up (if the wind is favorable)

The Oude Hansbrug has been a protected monument since 1988. It is a cast-iron, late 19th-century bridge over the Dijle between Keerbergen and Haacht. There has been a lot of history surrounding the Oude Hansbrug. It can already be found in the 13th century, albeit as a wooden bridge. In the 19th century, it was replaced by a cast-iron riveted bridge with a fixed section on the Keerbergen side and a drawbridge section on the Haacht side. During the First and Second World Wars, it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. In 1958, a new concrete bridge was built 200 meters upstream, and the Oude Hansbrug was retired. It could no longer handle the traffic flow. Deterioration began, and it soon had to be closed, even to pedestrians and cyclists, because it was no longer safe. It simply rusted away. Together with the historical societies of Haacht and Keerbergen and both municipal administrations, a battle against time began. It soon became clear that this battle was being lost, and restoration was out of the question because there was simply nothing left to restore. Rebuilding the bridge by perfectly replicating it was the only alternative to save this now-classified monument. While pillars and bridgeheads were being restored, the Flemish Region began replicating the old bridge: a perfect copy in the same materials as the original bridge. In the night of June 14 to 15, 2005, this bridge was brought to the site in pieces by three semi-trailers, and the next day it was assembled by a large crane. On August 27, 2005, the bridge was officially reopened. The Oude Hansbrug has been a protected monument since March 16, 1998. Source: https://www.keerbergen.be/product/292/oude-hansbrug

Iron balance bridge over the Dijle, built to replace a worn-out swing bridge from 1822 (3 wooden spans on 2 stone pillars). A bridge was already located at this site in 1234 (deed drawn up by Knight Walter van Haacht). Earliest depiction of 'a' Hansbrug with toll house of the de Croy Family (figurative pre-cadastral plans by Adriaan van Montigny). Sometimes the bridge had to be replaced by a ferry or pontoon (including around 1820). The current bridge was damaged by the Belgian Army in 1914 and then repaired. Tolls were levied until after 1886. On December 23, 1890, the Municipalities of Keerbergen (Province of Antwerp) and Haacht (Province of Brabant) were granted permission to build a new bridge by the Ministry of Agriculture, Industry and Public Works, Bridges and Roads Department. After some changes to the original plans, this bridge was completed and delivered in 1893 (February 22). The total cost was 46,550 BEF paid by the Belgian State, the Province of Brabant, and the two municipalities involved. The iron parts were built by the Van Aerschot company from Herentals, also widely known as a caster of iron mill axle heads and as a constructor of riveted iron mill rods. Inventory Immovable Heritage: Hansbrug, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/200147

The 2-meter-high wooden statue of Father Damien was placed on the west side of the Damien Bridge on August 22, 2013, and was donated by Lizette Cresens from Haacht. The statue was made by an artist from Wolfsdonk. Source: https://www.tremelo.be/product/2172/15-standbeeld-damiaan-damiaanbrug The bicycle and pedestrian bridge itself was put into use in 2012 and is located near the Damien Museum in Ninde (at the end of the road). The two Dijle dikes that are connected by it are called the Pater Damiaandijk (on the Ninde side) and the Schipstrekkersdijk (the Haacht side). Near the bridge, the Grote Laak flows into the Dijle. That's a river that splits off from the Demer near Aarschot and is also known as the Laak and formerly the Meetshovense Laak.

A forest path runs through the Schiplaken Estate. Don't forget to stop at Schiplaken Castle. It's an old medieval castle site with its characteristic high courtyard and farmyard. An information board on site provides further explanation.

Beautiful views and wonderful cruising