The best road cycling routes around Borgloon

This section, together with the water lock and the outer bailey, belongs to the oldest parts: in the Apostles' House, remains of the late Gothic ordinance from the second half of the 16th century from the building campaign of Land Commander Wijnandt van Brijel have been preserved. The complex is located at the highest point of the domain, on the eastern side of the commandery. Seven avenues converge at the gate, symbolizing the Seven Sorrows and Joys of Mary. To the right of the gatehouse was the now disappeared Apostles' House; it was an L-shaped building of two storeys, with a chapel on the ground floor, and twelve rooms for needy men, hence the name Apostles' House; late Gothic core from the second half of the 16th century, enlarged and adapted in 1716-1726, under Commander Damian Hugo von Schönborn, as indicated by a facade stone. After World War II, the Apostles' House slowly deteriorated but has since been restored.

On the site where a lordly manor stood in the Middle Ages, the castle of Hardelingen was built in the 19th century. The site had continuous habitation from an early date and was closely linked for centuries to agricultural exploitation in the fertile valley of the Werm. As a lordly manor, the domain functioned not only as a residence but also as an economic center that managed and structured the surrounding land within the traditional Haspengouw agricultural landscape. Today, the castle of Hardelingen, located in the quiet village of Werm, represents a valuable example of the transformation of a medieval lordly manor into a stately 19th-century country residence. The castle and its surrounding park landscape strikingly illustrate the neoclassical ideals of order, harmony, and scenic beauty, thus occupying a special place within the heritage of Haspengouw. Want to know more about the past? Click through to https://www.burchten-kastelen.be/provincies/limburg/042%20Kasteel%20van%20Hardelingen/Kasteel%20van%20Hardelingen.html

On the site where a manor house stood in the Middle Ages, the castle of Hardelingen was built in the 19th century. The site had continuous habitation from early on and was closely linked for centuries to agricultural exploitation in the fertile valley of the Werm. As a manor house, the domain served not only as a residence but also as an economic center that managed and structured the surrounding land within the traditional agricultural landscape of Haspengouw. Today, the castle of Hardelingen, located in the quiet village of Werm, is a valuable example of the transformation of a medieval manor house into a stately 19th-century country residence. The castle and the surrounding park landscape strikingly illustrate the neoclassical ideals of order, harmony, and scenic beauty, thus occupying a special place in the heritage of Haspengouw. Want to know more about the past? Click through to https://www.burchten-kastelen.be/provincies/limburg/042%20Kasteel%20van%20Hardelingen/Kasteel%20van%20Hardelingen.html

Café Coureur and their Lumberjack rides in both winter and summer are slowly becoming legendary: Lumberjack is one of the first gravel rides ever in Belgium. The rides are great and varied, the staff (Peter, Simon, Virze, and the team) are extremely friendly, and the afterparty with a BBQ and a fire is a must. Not to mention the beautiful café itself with photos and other cycling elements, and the cool Kwaremont beer… Just to be clear, I don't work for Café Coureur, but I am an avid gravel rider and have been riding the Lumberjack for many years.

's Herenelderen Castle, or Renesse's water castle, with its U-shaped main building is surrounded by a wide moat and an idyllic landscaped park, complete with a pond and mature trees. The mix of late Gothic, Baroque, and neoclassical elements makes the castle an architectural gem, with the eye-catching 16th-century marlstone manor house and the charming castle farm with coats of arms and corner towers. Located near St. Stephen's Church, this estate provides a beautiful historical backdrop for a peaceful stroll.

Just outside the village center of Widooie, on Kasteelweg, lies the beautifully preserved Widooie Castle: a secluded castle farm with deep historical roots. Four wings surrounding a rectangular courtyard form a harmonious whole, with marlstone bands, ornate wall anchors, and a stately gate dating from 1662 where the coat of arms of Richard Vaes still proudly stands. The corner tower, the classically renovated residential wing, and the 17th-century barns together tell the story of a place where generations have come and gone for centuries.

Even if the route along the canal isn't the shortest option, for example, for getting from Aachen to Zeeland, it's definitely a much more pleasant ride than taking the direct route through the Herentals, Malles, or Brechts. Great surface practically everywhere, no cars, and especially if you have a tailwind...

The Castle of 's Herenelderen or water castle of Renesse is a water castle and consists of the U-shaped main building surrounded by a moat and an elongated castle farm that is located along the Sint-Stefanusstraat. It is surrounded by a landscape park with a pond. The castle was the residence of the lords of Elderen until the end of the Ancien Régime. From the 13th century until 1501 it belonged to the Van Hamal family. In 1501, Anna van Hamal (1478-1556), heiress of Elderen, married Frederik van Renesse (circa 1470-1538), after which the property passed to the Van Renesse van Elderen family. Since 1987, Jean de Renesse (1959) has been lord of the castle. He is married to Countess Amélie de Lannoy (1962). Together they have two sons, Théodore de Renesse (1988) and Frédéric de Renesse (1991) and a daughter, Clémentine de Renesse (1995). The castle itself can only be admired from a distance as it is privately owned. The elongated castle farm has two corner towers and has a driveway that gives access to the square between the main building and the farm. Above the driveway gate on the yard side is the coat of arms of Renesse-Bocholtz (1640-1681) and above the gate of the barn a coat of arms of Renesse-Stepraedt (1681-1716). These date from the end of the 17th century. The facade on the street side has an older origin and is dated 1627. This is marked by the marlstone aedicula with the coat of arms of Renesse-Arckel (1610-1627) located above the entrance gate.