Belgium Beer Cycle

Belgian brewing traditions date back to the Middle Ages and are still in use today, with abbey-dwelling monks still producing some of the world's most refreshing and flavoursome brews. Pay your respects to the land of great beer with this self guided cycling itinerary that showcases Belgium's beautiful countryside and endearing villages with a focus on local breweries and traditional beer practices. Embrace the cyclist-friendly attitudes and flat terrain of Belgium that make riding from town to town a joy. This is a nation that welcomes cycling culture and you'll appreciate this everywhere you go, from pedalling the streets of cosmopolitan Antwerp to riding through the Campine woods that are teeming with nature. Ride to Bocholt, home to Europe's largest beer brewery museum, and learn the intricate process of pouring the perfect pint. Take a break from cycling at St Benedict's Abbey and sample a well-earned Trappist beer fresh from the keg. Explore rural towns along the route and discover local quirks: undiscovered Turnhout is one of the world's largest playing card producers; beautiful Diest has ties to the Belgian royalty; and witness the WWII military forts at Mortsel. Savour it all on this unforgettable cycling trip across Belgium.

Highlights

• Learning about the origins of Belgium's best beers
• Sampling a wide variety of beers and ales in atmospheric cafes and bars
• Exploring Antwerp and touring De Koninck, an active brewery since 1838
• Cycling past the famous Achelse Kluis abbey and a visit to the De Koninck Brewery
• Visiting the welcoming university town of Leuven
• Discovering quaint Belgian towns off the beaten track

During the 6 days of cycling a total of approximately 373km/231mi is covered with daily routes of between between 44 and 75km / 27 and 46.5mi per day, The route has hilly stretches with lots of small ascents, mostly along quiet rural roads, sometimes along forest and agricultural tracks. In order to prepare for this trip you will need to be comfortable cycling for extended periods, sometimes with traffic around you (sometimes unavoidable going in to and leaving towns).