The Kempen Route connects Antwerp with Maasmechelen through a landscape of woods, heath, inland dunes and lakes. Presented by Flanders by Bike as one of the region’s iconic cycle routes, it also follows the story of Limburg’s mining past along a former coal railway.
From the city into the Kempen
The route can be ridden in either direction, so Antwerp and Maasmechelen offer different ways into the same journey. Between them, the scenery changes from city surroundings to the wooded and open landscapes associated with the Kempen.
Flanders by Bike describes stretches of forest and heath, dunes and the Kempen lakes. These varied settings give riders reasons to divide the journey into sections and spend time away from the saddle, rather than treating the route solely as a connection between its two ends.
The mining landscape near Maasmechelen
At the Maasmechelen end, Visit Maasmechelen describes the route as linking Antwerp with Terhills, a gateway to Hoge Kempen National Park. This is a useful end around which to plan extra time for the surrounding landscape.
The former Limburg Coal Line provides another theme for the journey. Visit Maasmechelen highlights former mining sites from C-mine to be-MINE, where industrial heritage has been given contemporary uses and sits among nature reserves. The contrast between these sites and the woods, heath and lakes is a distinctive feature of the route.
An accessible section to Mol
Flanders by Bike presents a 96 km accessible section between Antwerp and Mol along the classic Kempen Route. It describes this section as almost entirely flat, with paths wide enough for non-standard cycles, cargo bikes and bicycles pulling trailers.
The dedicated accessibility map contains information about the route and facilities including places to stay, cafés, attractions, picnic areas and toilets. Riders can check individual locations against their own requirements before choosing stops. The accessible section ends at Mol; it should not be assumed to describe the whole route to Maasmechelen.
Putting a trip together
The iconic routes are signposted in both directions, allowing riders to choose where to begin and finish. Select the landscapes and stops that matter most, then use the route information to build a trip around the available time.
For the accessible section, the official guide identifies accommodation with accessibility labels and provides information about adapted-cycle hire and assistance. Check the details directly with providers when arranging a trip, particularly if a particular cycle, guide or facility is essential.