Beer & Bike in Belgium: The Trappist Route

Welcome to Turnhout in the Belgian region of Kempen. The city is known as the capital of playing cards since the world's first industrially printed deck of cards was manufactured here as early as 1826. If you have time before dinner, a visit to the Playing Card Museum, the historic castle that belonged to the Dukes of Brabant, or the beautiful St. Peter's Church is recommended. Here begins your cycling journey through Brabant and Flanders, where monasteries, beer traditions, and beautiful landscapes await.

Today's stage goes through the rural Kempen. The first stop is Merksplas, where a former work colony for vagrants and beggars provides insight into the region's history. Then you continue to the famous Trappist monastery in Westmalle, where the monks brew one of the world's most appreciated beers. The monastery itself is closed to visitors, but opposite lies the Trappist Café where you can taste the beer and learn more about the monks' life and traditions. The tour ends in lively Antwerp.

Before leaving Antwerp, there's plenty of time to experience the city's historic center, known for its beautiful buildings, shopping, and many beer cafés. Then you cycle north through classic Flemish villages towards Brecht. Here you pass the monastery Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Nazareth, where Trappist nuns produce soap, shampoo, and candles, among other things. The products are sold in the monastery shop and make an appreciated stop before you continue to today's destination in Brasschaat.

You leave Belgium and cycle into the Dutch province of Brabant. Along the way, you pass the Maria Toevlucht monastery where the monks brew the relatively young but highly appreciated Zundert Trappist. In the village of Zundert, there's an opportunity to sit down and try a foaming glass before the journey continues to Breda. The historic city is known for its lively restaurant and nightlife scene and is a perfect place to end the day with good food and something local in your glass.

Today awaits a varied cycling day through a landscape with forests, streams, and idyllic villages. Via the university city of Tilburg, you reach the Koningshoeven monastery where the well-known La Trappe beer is brewed. Here you can visit the monastery shop and discover products that are still made by the monks. The last part of today's stage goes through the nature reserve Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen, a scenic area with forests, heaths, and small lakes, before you reach Oisterwijk.

The journey's last cycling day follows the old railway Bels Lijntje, which today is an appreciated cycle path between the Netherlands and Belgium. Along the way, you pass flowering fields planted to benefit bees and reach the unique border village of Baarle. Here the national border winds through streets, houses, and sidewalks in a way that has no equal. The last stretch leads back to Turnhout where the circle closes after a week filled with nature, culture, and Trappist traditions.

After breakfast, the journey ends. If you have time before your journey home, there's an opportunity to take a final walk in Turnhout or visit some attraction you missed upon arrival. Then it's time to say farewell to Brabant, Flanders, and a cycling week filled with monasteries, history, beautiful landscapes, and local taste experiences.