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Zellaer Castle – Leuven–Dijle Canal (Mechelen) loop from Putte

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Zellaer Castle – Leuven–Dijle Canal (Mechelen) loop from Putte

Easy

4.0

(2)

riders

Zellaer Castle – Leuven–Dijle Canal (Mechelen) loop from Putte

01:45

30.3km

50m

Cycling

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 18, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

7.94 km

Zellaer Castle

Highlight • Castle

The history of Kasteeldomein Zellaer probably goes back to at least the 13th century. At that time, there was a moated castle on the spot where the current castle now stands. The first resident was in all probability Arnold van Zellaer, a wealthy canon of Sint-Rombouts. The domain has since always been a sought-after place of residence on the outskirts of Mechelen. Several high clergymen have lived there, several mayors of Mechelen, a mayor of Bonheiden, wealthy businessmen, several counts and a baron. Due to this succession of different residents, a lot of renovation and new construction work has also taken place on the domain. There have also been several castles on the same spot within the domain. The current castle is a neo-Gothic moated castle that was built around 1885. The outer facade shows a robust appearance with a drawbridge, a Donjon, battlements and loopholes. The facade stone is Gobertange sandstone that comes from the demolition of the city walls of Vilvoorde. The interior of the castle shows many well-preserved elements that were previously executed in Renaissance style, with beautiful carvings and paintings. The structural elements such as the stairs and ceilings were often finished in a combination of cast steel and wood, characteristic of the period in which the castle was built (industrial revolution).
The 18.5 hectare castle park still contains many historical elements such as a moat structure, pond and avenues that converge centrally in a star. Many of these structures date back to at least the 18th century, as they are already visible on the Ferraris maps (1771-1778)

In 2017, the municipality of Bonheiden partially purchased the castle domain. The non-profit organization Foyer De Charité Bonheiden, a lay community of the Catholic Church and the then owner of the domain, also remained joint owner of the domain. Kempens Landschap has taken the entire castle domain on a long lease for a period of 54 years. At the beginning of 2018, Kempens Landschap and the municipality of Bonheiden started drawing up an integrated nature and heritage management plan for the entire Zellaer castle domain.

More information at kempenslandschap.be/nl/kasteel-zellaer

Translated by Google •

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10.6 km

Vrouwvliet

Lake

12.1 km

Bike link Douaneplein – Mechelen Station

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Right from Douaneplein to Station!

Translated by Google •

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14.6 km

Leuven–Dijle Canal (Mechelen)

Highlight • River

The Leuven-Dijle canal connects the hinterland of Brabant with the Scheldt basin. The canal was already built in 1752! There are 5 locks that also date from this construction period: Tildonk, Kampenhout, Boortmeerbeek, Battel and Zennegat. It is wonderful to cycle along the towpath...

Translated by Google •

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14.9 km

Brusselpoort Mechelen

Highlight • Monument

The Brussels Gate is an impressive, massive building from the 13th century and is located in the middle of the ring road of Mechelen. The old city gate is the highest of twelve gates that were built as a city wall. Originally, the gate was called the 'Overste Poort'. During that period, another gate, the 'Brusselse Poort', was also built. When the old Brussels Gate was demolished and the Nieuwe Steenweg to Brussels reached Mechelen, it was decided to rename it the 'Overste Poort'.

The building served as Alfred Ost's studio, among other things. The collection of the Stadspoppentheater De Maan is currently stored there.

Source: visit.mechelen.be/brusselpoort

Translated by Google •

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17.4 km

Colorful Wildflower Verge at Mechelen Central Station

Highlight • Natural

17.8 km

RainShelter Installation (Dijle, Mechelen)

Highlight • Structure

Simply a pleasant and beautiful passage along the Dijle, where whining and complaining won't help... Enjoy it here or stay put...

Translated by Google •

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18.5 km

Komeet Bridge, Dijle split

Highlight • Bridge

The Komeetbrug is actually a weir located at the junction of the Dijle at the Nekkerspoel. A weir is a hydraulic engineering structure that aims to influence the water level in a course, stream or river.
At this location, the bridge spans the Dijle - side of the Nekkerspoel.

Translated by Google •

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18.8 km

View of the Church by the Water

Highlight • Religious Site

30.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

20.1 km

7.76 km

2.08 km

229 m

156 m

Surfaces

16.2 km

12.6 km

808 m

611 m

Elevation

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Weather

Tuesday 23 June

36°C

20°C

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Zellaer Castle – Leuven–Dijle Canal (Mechelen) loop from Putte

Zellaer Castle

Bike link Douaneplein – Mechelen Station

Leuven–Dijle Canal (Mechelen)

Brusselpoort Mechelen

Colorful Wildflower Verge at Mechelen Central Station

RainShelter Installation (Dijle, Mechelen)

Komeet Bridge, Dijle split

View of the Church by the Water

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