The best traffic-free bike rides around Hoeselt

At the highest point of Helshoven, you can now enjoy a breathtaking view over the Haspengouw landscape. Artist Frits Jeuris has created a unique work of art from dozens of felled fruit trees from the area. “Helsh(ea)ven”, a wooden work of art consisting of 90 standard cherry trees, each fifty years old, was hit by the cherry plague virus at the end of 2016, a contagious plant disease that causes small fruits on cherries. Now the felled trees are getting a second life. The work of art symbolizes the dynamic landscape of Haspengouw.

Wine terrace and bar at Wijnkasteel Genoels-Elderen. The cozy terrace of the wine castle is a lovely place to relax with a beautiful view of the garden and the pond. You can taste all the products of the wine castle, and coffee, regional beer, lemonade, and snacks are also available.

Curious about the origins of our current customs and traditions? In the Bokrijk Open Air Museum, you'll discover how the past inspires our future! Dive into the history of crafts and gain practical experience during fascinating workshops. Immerse yourself in the art of bread baking, textiles, and woodworking. Discover heritage breeds at the beautifully restored museum farm or learn all about historical brewing at the Het Paenhuys museum brewery.

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.

The Eikerveldweg connects Heesveld with Eik and runs along railway line 21C, the freight line between Bilzen and Genk.

This place used to be the location of the Motmolen, the nature reserve is named after it: https://youtu.be/dvlbNrtk4W0?feature=shared

Just before the summit, you have a bike parking on the left and there are many people (if the weather is good for cycling). There you have the "Floating chapel". On the descent, I had ridden past it.

The Bokrijk Open Air Museum is a large and characterful museum park in Genk (province of Limburg, Belgium) that offers a unique insight into rural life, crafts, and the culture of the past. The museum is part of the extensive Provincial Domain Bokrijk, a park of approximately 550 hectares where nature heritage and recreation come together. The open-air museum opened its gates to the public in 1958 when the province of Limburg realized the project in response to the rapidly changing living and landscape situation after the Second World War. The goal was to preserve historical buildings, traditional crafts, and agricultural elements before they were lost due to modernization and urban expansion. In Bokrijk, you will find more than 140 authentic historical buildings such as farmhouses, mills, workers' houses, sheds, and even an old church. Many of these buildings have been dismantled from their original location and rebuilt stone by stone in the museum park so that they are preserved for future generations. The museum is divided into several thematic areas, each showcasing a different aspect of rural life. Kempen – with a focus on crafts such as bread and textile production and workshops where artisans demonstrate their techniques. Haspengouw – where costume and living history actors bring life around 1900 to life and you can see historical farmhouses and animals. East and West Flanders – tranquil cultural landscapes with craft demonstrations by, for example, a herbalist, tanner, and miller. The Sixties – a separate exhibition visualizing daily life in the 1960s with realistic sets such as a café, gas station, and living rooms. Bokrijk is not just about buildings, but also about experience and participation. Visitors can view historical crafts up close or actively participate in workshops such as baking bread or making pottery. There are also educational routes with various signposted walks through the museum section itself. In addition to the open-air museum itself, the domain offers much more. De Wijers — a large pond area that you can explore, among other things, via the "Cycling Through Water" attraction, where you literally cycle through the water. Arboretum Bokrijk — a remarkable botanical garden with a collection of trees and shrubs that can be admired throughout the year. Open-air playground — the largest free playground in Flanders, popular with families with children. The park itself is accessible year-round, but the open-air museum has a seasonal opening: it is open from April 5 to November 2 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the exception of Mondays outside of school holidays. The Bokrijk Open Air Museum offers an extensive journey through time of Flemish rural life, from centuries-old farmhouses and traditional crafts to the daily life of the sixties, doing so in a way that is educational, interactive, and appealing to all ages.