The best cycling routes around Bilzen

The cycle path between Wintershoven and Vliermaal lies on the route of the former tram line 496, which ran between Tongeren and Kortessem. The tram line departed from the station in Tongeren and ran via Henis, Riksingen, Sint-Huibrechts-Hern, Schalkhoven, Vliermaal and Wintershoven to the tram station in Kortessem. In Kortessem, line 496 connected to the larger line 495 (Hasselt - Oreye). This allowed travellers and agricultural products (such as sugar beets for the sugar refineries) to easily transfer towards Hasselt or Liège.

Tongeren is the oldest city in Belgium. The city originates from a camp founded by Sabinus and Cotta, lieutenants of Julius Caesar, whose legions were massacred in 54 BC near Ambiorix, the leader of the Eburones. Sights include the basilica, the beguinage, the statue of Ambiorix, and the antique market that takes place every Sunday.

On the border of the poor Kempen and fertile Haspengouw lies the Munsterbos. Northeast of the village center of Munsterbilzen, 450 hectares of forests, ponds, marshes, and grasslands stretch out. Here and there, even a patch of purple heather peeks through. The area is so special due to its location on the transition from the sandy Kempen Plateau to the Haspengouw clay region.

Watch here a beautiful film about the history of Alden Biesen and the Teutonic Order: https://youtu.be/YXJjgloHpH8?si=-T5CilBr4_Vu4Ov4

Let yourself be touched by the inspiring sculpture, the understated poetry, and the subtle symbolism, which blend beautifully with the tranquility of nature. A place to pause, feel, and come to yourself. You are most welcome.

Around the Sint-Martinus church lies a spacious, walled churchyard that immediately exudes a calm and charming atmosphere. A few striking lime trees provide shade and character, while old grave crosses whisper silent stories from the past. Through the main entrance, beautifully marked by two sturdy limestone pillars, you step into this special piece of heritage. The church itself is a fascinating mix of styles and periods: a 14th or 15th-century Gothic tower, an 18th-century nave, and a transept with a choir from the early 20th century, designed by Mathieu Christiaens. Together, they form a harmonious whole that has effortlessly stood the test of time.

Hollow roads are not only important for nature, they also play a valuable role in agriculture and in our free time. Together with other slow roads, they form the perfect routes for hikers, riders, and cyclists to fully enjoy the landscape.

The story of Alden Biesen does not begin in Limburg, but at the scorching gates of besieged Acre. In 1190, German merchants built a field hospital there with the sails of their ships, intended for sick pilgrims and wounded crusaders. What began as an act of care and solidarity grew into the establishment of the Teutonic Order; a spiritual order of knights that was soon recognized by the Pope and the Emperor. In our region too, the Teutonic Order left its mark. In the thirteenth century, an impressive commandery was established in Rijkhoven near Bilzen: Alden Biesen, the headquarters of the bailiwick of Biesen, which managed dozens of properties in the region. For centuries, this domain was a center of power, wealth, and religious influence. But at the end of the eighteenth century, disaster struck. During the French Revolution, the property of the Teutonic Order was confiscated. In 1797, Guillaume Claes, the mayor of Hasselt, bought the domain and saved it from demolition. Nevertheless, it fell into disrepair, and in 1971, a severe fire destroyed almost the entire castle. Only the walls remained standing. Fortunately, the Flemish government intervened, and a thorough restoration followed. Today, Alden Biesen is once again a vibrant heritage site where you can relive the past in the castle, the garden, and the museum. Want to know more? Click through to https://www.alden-biesen.be/geschiedenis