A variant of ascents and castles in Haspengouw

This route passes through the Haspengouw, let's say the Betuwe of Belgium, but with the difference that it is a hilly area where you can find climbs of 10 to 50 meters of altitude difference (with a length of up to one kilometer). Twenty ascents are on the route (for the list of ascents, see below). Most climbs are on average 3 to 5% with max. slopes up to 9%, four climbs are slightly steeper (Letenberg, Bollenberg, Hoogveld and Winningstraat).

In addition, there are many concrete roads in this area that are only accessible to cyclists and agricultural traffic. This means that after rainy periods (especially at harvest time), these roads can be muddy. Sand can also escape from surrounding fields (there are usually no ditches between fields/orchards and these concrete roads). And by sinking on these concrete roads, the water can stay for a long time (especially at the extreme south of the road). There are two short paved strips in the route: one above the Alden-Biesen Castle estate (200 m long), and a 100 m long piece to reach Genoelselderen Castle. Three roads have worse road surfaces over a distance of one kilometer (April 2022, this is warned by a danger sign for cyclists, only in the descent from Alfonsstraat to Heks, this is a general danger sign). Between Jesseren and Piringen, the route follows the cycle path along the route of the former fruit railway.

In early spring, when the fruit trees are blooming, it is really fantastic to cycle in this area (on the flower counter you can see the position of the flower ). And finally, on this route you will pass many castles: the route starts at the large castle estate of Alden-Biesen, then you will pass the castles of Genoelselderen, 's Herenelderen, Mulken (Castle Rooi), Foal, Groot-Gelmen, Castle Tornaco, Bommershoven, Heks, Widooie, Castle Terhove, Kolmont, Schalkhoven, Hoogveld and Castle Hardelingen. After climbing the Bollenberg, the route also makes a journey to the transparent church "Reading between the Lines": you pedal on two-lane concrete slab roads to the southern entrance of the work (you still have to walk 100 meters on a gravel path to reach it).

Along the way, you can eat and drink directly along the road in Groot-Gelmen (km 42.5), Mettekoven (km 45), Kuttekoven (km 51), Borgloon (km 52), Vechmaal (km 63 (only on weekends)). In Widooie at km 66 is the cycling café Velohofke 200 meters from the road. Of course, you can also cycle to the center of Borgloon at km 52 to eat/drink something.

The route runs clockwise, and then you get the following climbs for the wheels:

- Winterbergstraat,
- Biestertstraat (in Grote-Spouwen),
- Pebble forest near Genoelselderen,
- Verhenis,
- Vrijhernberg (partly),
- Sablon Mountain,
- Herenbos,
- Kertsbornstraat,
- Weierkensbeekberg,
- Bosstraat,
- Winning street,
- Kalenberg,
- Kuttekovenberg (the road does not go to Borgloon, although the town is worth a visit because of the beautiful center, which means no cobblestones),
- Bollenberg (an ancient Roman road that is now executed as a two-lane concrete track).
- Heksberg,
- Kolmontberg,
- Zammelenberg,
- Hoogveld,
- Hardelingenstraat or Hardveldberg,
- Letenberg.