The best gravel rides around Turnhout

Turnhout offers a wide variety of gravel biking options, with over 590 routes available. These include more than 70 easy routes, over 340 moderate routes, and around 170 difficult trails, catering to all skill levels.

The gravel routes around Turnhout traverse the diverse Kempen landscape. You'll encounter vast stretches of heathland and coniferous forests, unique dry drifting dunes, saturated fens, tranquil wetlands, and stream valleys. Many routes also follow car-free towpaths along canals, providing varied surfaces for your ride.

Yes, Turnhout offers numerous routes suitable for beginners and families. There are over 70 easy gravel tours available. These routes often feature moderate terrain through forests and past wildflowers, such as the Through forests and past wildflowers from Turnhout, which is a moderate 44 km ride.

Yes, many gravel routes in the Turnhout area are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. For example, the Zoerselbos – Zoerselbos Gravel Trail loop from Turnhout is a challenging 84 km circular route, and The Zwart Water – Warandeplas loop offers another challenging circular option.

Gravel trails in Turnhout vary significantly in length and duration. You can find shorter routes like the Route Turnhoutse Vennen area, which is about 54 km and takes under 4 hours, to much longer and more challenging rides such as Grit! Kempense Heuvelrug (long), spanning over 111 km and requiring more than 8 hours to complete.

The region around Turnhout is rich in natural beauty and historical sites. Many routes pass through nature reserves like Vennengebied, Oud-Turnhout Nature Reserve, and Landschap De Liereman, where you might spot wildflowers and wildlife. You can also explore various lakes, such as The Zwart Water or Warandeplas, and even discover historic castles like De Merode Castle or Borrekens Castle, often found in the surrounding areas.

The komoot community highly rates gravel biking in Turnhout, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 300 reviews. Riders frequently praise the diverse landscapes, from heathlands and forests to unique dunes and wetlands, as well as the extensive network of well-maintained gravel paths that offer options for all skill levels.

Yes, Turnhout is a significant location in the gravel biking world. It has hosted major events such as the UCI Gravel World Series and the Belgian Gravel Championships, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for the sport. The area is known for its flat courses with long, open gravel sections.

Absolutely. The Dessel-Schoten Canal, which passes by Turnhout, offers a 63-kilometer car-free towpath that is excellent for gravel cycling. Additionally, the Bels Lijntje, a scenic 31-kilometer cycle path connecting Turnhout with Tilburg in the Netherlands, provides another peaceful green corridor ideal for gravel bikes.

While gravel biking is enjoyable year-round, spring and autumn often offer the most pleasant conditions with mild temperatures and vibrant scenery across the heathlands and forests. Summer can be great too, but be prepared for potentially warmer weather. Winter rides are possible, but some wetland areas might be muddier.

Turnhout is well-connected, and the region benefits from a comprehensive cycling infrastructure, including the 'knooppunten' (nodes) system, which makes navigation easy. While specific public transport links to trailheads aren't detailed, the general accessibility of Turnhout and its established cycling network suggest good options for reaching starting points.

Yes, Turnhout offers plenty of challenging routes for experienced gravel bikers. Over 170 difficult tours are available, featuring longer distances and varied terrain. Examples include Gravel route through the Grensvallei, a difficult 82.5 km path, and Enjoying the green from Turnhout, a difficult 50 km route.