If you have ever wanted to combine travel with cycling, you can put together a fantastic trip. You can explore the beer country in Belgium and enjoy lush landscapes along with historic forts and some of their breweries. Beer is a source of national pride, and they offer pale ales, blondes, and brown ales in monasteries across Belgium. One of the best places to experience this is in the Wallonia area. Take a look at where to plan your cycling trip through Belgium.
- Start in Namur
You can start in Namur, which is about an hour south of Brussels. It is an older town with cobbled lanes and red brick houses, as well as a few excellent museums. Be sure to stop by Le Ratin-Tot, which is the oldest bar, having been established in 1616. You will also find the citadel, which dates back to the tenth century.
- Purnode
Next, travel southeast to Purnode, and stop in at the Brasserie du Bocq, which is a family-run brewery that was founded in 1858. You can also stop by Le Pretery, which has the famous Blanche de Namur, a mellow white beer.
- Dinant
Next, head to Dinant, and enjoy a city that is between the Meuse and a huge cliff. There is a citadel on top. You will see the gothic church, Notre Dame de Dinant, and they have sculptures that celebrate Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. Sit on the riverside terrace at la capsule, and enjoy a variety of belgian beers.
- Rochefort
Next, enjoy Rocheford, a riverside town known for its Trappist brewery and red marble quarries. The brewery is part of the 13th century Rochefort Abbey, where monks perfected the dark beers in the 1960s.
- Bouillon Castle
Next, you can travel south to Bouillon Castle, which is located near the French border along the Semois River. It dates back to the eighth century, and it was sold in the 11th century so that the knight Godefroid of Bouillon could fund his expedition to the Holy Land during the First Crusade. It has a medieval feel, and there is plenty to see while you are there.