The best traffic-free bike rides around Hoegaarden

Personally, it's not my cup of tea, far too monotonous. Okay, there are no cars, thankfully. But riders let their horses relieve themselves all along the Reval. And of course, without cleaning up! A real treat... on foot or by bike.

Park Abbey is considered one of the best-preserved abbeys in Western Europe. Besides the abbey and its church, the complex also includes an estate and extensive grounds with meadows and ponds. Although the abbey largely dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, its history goes back to 1129, when the Duke of Brabant gifted his hunting grounds in Leuven to the Premonstratensians. The Premonstratensians, or Norbertines, were considered wealthy and powerful and were therefore called the "Park Princes." They led a privileged life and devoted themselves to art and literature. The abbey's library once housed a renowned collection of manuscripts and early printed books. The abbots adorned the interiors with works of art, including the stained-glass windows by Jean de Caumont in the cloister and the stucco ceilings by Jan Christiaen Hansche. Source: Flemishmastersinsitu.com

Feel free to stroll a bit under the gate. There's a bulletin board attached for you with the history of the building and estate in a few bullet points. See the photos.

A semi-enclosed square farm first mentioned in the 16th century, it was extensively renovated during the second half of the 18th century and at the end of the 19th century. This semi-enclosed square farm, named after one of its previous owners, was first mentioned as a fief of the lords of Opvelp. Since at least 1515, the farm "op die plaetse," along with approximately twenty acres of land held in fief or rent from the lord, was owned by the prominent Everaerts family, who served as mayor and steward of the lord of the village for successive generations. In 1648, the Leuven Jesuit college acquired from the Everaerts heirs "the leasehold farm in Opvelp with its houses, barns, stables, dovecotes, courtyard, orchards, land, meadows, woods, and woods (ponds), totaling approximately forty acres...". Regarding the distribution of this moderately sized acreage, we only know that the approximately 1.5-hectare orchard was located behind the farm. The two ponds were located in the hamlet of Molenstede. In 1761, as evidenced by the façade anchors, the Jesuits had the farm extensively renovated. When the order was abolished by Pope Clement XIV in 1773, all Jesuit possessions were confiscated by the Austrian government and subsequently put up for public sale. In 1782, the farm in Opvelp came into the possession of Josse Leplat, professor of both law at the University of Leuven and known there as the leader of the Josephist professors and a staunch Jansenist. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Jezuïetenhof Farm, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/41556

Garden with varied flowerbeds. Beautiful chapter house terrace overlooking the garden.

car-free and shady part of Ravel

Sometimes busy, but otherwise ideal for a bit of acceleration. But if you really want to, the small roads around it are much nicer in terms of views.

Church of Tourinnes-La-Grosse...