Temperatures are slowly rising again, so it's time to get the motorbike out. We would like to present five delightful motorbike routes here in our own country, from the Ardennes to the coast. Get ready for the smell of grass, winding roads and interesting sights.
The East Cantons
We’ll make a start in Wallonia, a paradise for motorcyclists, with many kilometres of winding curves, a beautiful natural environment and a host of cultural and gastronomic destinations. It is the ideal destination for those who like to get off the beaten track on an off-road motorbike. For example, start in Eupen and drive to Malmedy, Sankt-Vith and then onto the place where Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet. If you still have gas in the tank, you can easily drive on to beautiful Bastogne.
Spa and Chaudfontaine
If we are in Wallonia, we should definitely visit the region around Spa and Chaudfontaine, two towns which take their names from the corresponding waters. Chaudfontaine is located just below Liège and if you drive at a leisurely pace, you will reach Spa in three quarters of an hour. This is also close to the High Fens and if you like hills, you’ve come to the right place. At 694 metres, the Signaal van Botrange, halfway between Malmedy and Eupen, is the highest peak in the country.
Belgian Coast and Zeeland
Start in De Panne and drive along the coast to Nieuwpoort. You make a small diversion inland for the marina, but from Lombardsijde you will have the sea by your side almost all the way, until you reach Zeebrugge. Behind Knokke-Heist lies Het Zwin, where you can make a diversion past Sluis and onto Cadzand. Further along, Zeeland is waiting for you. The many dams and dykes are beautifully meandering and seem to have been made for motorbikes.
Doel
Motorbikes are unfortunately banned from the Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe (a nature reserve of more than 3,500 hectares, most of which lies in the Netherlands) but the area around it is well worth exploring. The impressive Antwerp docks, interspersed with the beautiful vistas leave an almost surreal impression. And don’t miss the drive past Doel, the deserted ghost town in the shadow of the nuclear power plant of the same name. An ideal route for touring motorbikes.
East Limburg
We end up in Limburg, more specifically in the region of the Hoge Kempen National Park. The nearly 13,000-hectare nature reserve stretches across As, Zutendaal, Lanaken, Dilsen-Stokkem, Genk and Maasmechelen. At the end of August/beginning of September, it is wonderful to cruise along small roads, enjoying the gorgeous scent of purple heather which is in full bloom at that time of year. Here, you are also close to the Limburg mining region, with villages and towns such as Zwartberg, Beringen and Eisden.
Rent a motorbike?
If you’d like more inspiration for amazing motorbike routes, please check out the site www.motoren-toerisme.be. Does it make you want to jump on a motorbike and go for a ride? At Dockx Rental you can hire the perfect motorbike for every rider and every occasion. From as little as 66 euros.
