The best traffic-free bike rides around Hoeselt

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

The St. Maurice Church is one of the most distinctive and historically valuable buildings in the center of Bilzen (Limburg, Belgium). The church stands directly behind the town hall on the Markt square and, together with the town hall and the surrounding buildings, forms the historic heart of the city. The church's origins date back to the early Middle Ages: archaeological research shows that the choir rests on foundations dating from the 11th century, indicating that a church building existed on this site from very early times. From the 12th century onward, a Romanesque church developed here, of which only the choir survived when it was replaced by a Gothic structure in the 15th century. In 1636, the Gothic church was severely damaged when it was set on fire by Croatian troops. The only remaining parts were the choir and a few pillars of the nave. In the decades that followed, the church was rebuilt and expanded. Under the direction of architects such as Joseph Dumont and Mathieu Christiaens, the church acquired its current form in the 19th and early 20th centuries: a neo-Gothic hall church, typical of the Romantic revival of Gothic building traditions. A hall church is a church design in which the nave and aisles are more or less the same height, creating an impressive and open interior. St. Maurice's Church is one of the few hall churches in the region built of marlstone on a robust base of rubble and bluestone. The tower, complete in 1667, features striking Baroque elements.

St. Maurice's Church in Bilzen is more than just a building of stone and glass, as it tells the story of centuries of religious experience, destruction, and reconstruction in the heart of the city. Directly behind the old town hall, this church towers above the market square, a silent witness to the history of Bilzen and the people who have gathered there throughout the centuries. What makes the church striking at first glance is its characteristic hall church structure, a building style rarely encountered in this region. The current interior, richly restored in the Neo-Gothic style, combines late Gothic sculptures with Baroque details, and the stained-glass windows display an intense interplay of colors that, combined with modern painting, create a unique atmosphere as soon as daylight enters. The roots of St. Maurice's Church reach back as far as the early Middle Ages. A wooden chapel once stood on this site in the 8th or 9th century, later replaced by a Romanesque stone church. In the late Middle Ages, the entire structure was transformed into a Gothic structure. Despite fires and looting, including a devastation in 1636, the community's spirit remained strong enough to rebuild and innovate time and again. The tower you see today was completed in the 17th century and, together with the neo-Gothic additions from the 19th and early 20th centuries, forms a harmony of styles and time periods. Beneath the tower, you'll also find a small museum space that highlights the link with the historic Alden Biesen Commandery and serves as a reminder of the close ties between the church and the region. Within the walls, you'll find silent witnesses to faith and art: extensively restored Gothic niches, paintings, and sculptures that have inspired generations of visitors. The place exudes a sense of timelessness, a place where history, community, and art converge in the heart of Bilzen's vibrant center. Thus, the St. Maurice Church is not only an architectural monument but also a living symbol of resilience and solidarity, inviting visitors to pause and listen to the stories its old stones tell.

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.

The lock system was built during the canal construction in the 1930s and includes three locks and a road bridge.

Tzzzz, the climb is not hard

Beautiful route with little elevation gain

Delicious wine and delicious coffee on a wonderfully quiet terrace.