The green valley of the Grote Kaliebeek leads you via the Rielenkapel to Kasterlee. There, you cycle to Keeses Molen. Across the busy Geelsebaan, you’ll pass the heart of the Kabouterberg. This is an extension of the Kempen Ridge. It’s a labyrinth of walking paths through forests, sandy plains, and dune ridges. You’ll find a gnome house and a gnome path for young children. But in reality, the varying elevations in the sand, along with the twisted tree trunks and roots, form a playground in itself.

The bike route now takes you straight through the forests of the Kempen Ridge, stretching from Herentals to Kasterlee. It originated during the last Ice Age, about ten thousand years ago. As you cycle, you’ll notice that this ridge has largely remained untouched by development. In the forest on the ridge, efforts are being made to diversify the monoculture of pines into a more mixed forest.

On the other side of Lichtaartsebaan, the car-free bike path cuts through De Hoge Rielen. Once a military training area, today, the beautifully renovated military barracks are home to youth groups and schools from across Flanders.

In Tielen, one building certainly stands out: Tielenhof. This medieval castle, complete with a moat and drawbridge, can only be admired from the street side, as the castle is private property. In the summer months, a summer bar is sometimes organized, and you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful courtyard.

The final stretch to De Lilse Bergen winds through fields along the Aa and through the charming center of Gierle. Here, too, there’s plenty of hospitality, and sometimes a summer bar at the old distillery next to the church.