(S/E) Starting from Zepperen cemetery, the route winds through orchards of pear, apple and (further on) cherry trees.
After passing through Berlingen, the route runs close to Rullingen Castle (5), well hidden behind the hedges of its grounds.
A few kilometres further on, the walk joins the old Roman road linking Paris to Cologne via Bavay and Tongeren. (9) A sculpture has been erected here in honour of Tjenne (Jeanne in the local dialect), who was convicted of witchcraft and burned at the stake in 1667.
Halfway along this ancient Roman road lie, in order, (10) the Helshoven Chapel, a place of pilgrimage, its pretty little garden and its statue of Pope John Paul II, and a little further on (11) the artwork named Helsheaven, consisting of a self-supporting metal base supporting a small house whose walls were built using logs cut from the countless old cherry trees felled in 2016 following their infection by the ‘little cherry’ virus.
Whilst the journey through the village of Rijkel is not particularly impressive in itself, it does have the advantage of allowing visitors to discover (12) its castle (in need of renovation) and its imposing church.
Through the orchards around Hoepertingen
Pear, apple and cherry trees, a few vines and strawberry plants ensure the richness and reputation for fruit-growing of this part of the Limburg Hesbaye. Orchards galore to admire in spring during the blossom and later in the season for their fruit production.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 11.38 mi -
Average duration: 5h 30 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 266 ft -
Descent: - 246 ft -
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Highest point: 299 ft -
Lowest point: 151 ft
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Country:
Belgium
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City:
Sint-Truiden -
Start/End: N 50.81895° / E 5.249013° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 154 ft - Zepperen Cemetery
- 1 : mi 1.06 - alt. 207 ft - Fourche
- 2 : mi 1.32 - alt. 200 ft - Viewpoint at Honsberg and picnic table
- 3 : mi 1.74 - alt. 207 ft - Bench
- 4 : mi 2.87 - alt. 259 ft - Bench
- 5 : mi 4 - alt. 177 ft - Rullingen Castle
- 6 : mi 4.39 - alt. 200 ft - Picnic table
- 7 : mi 4.62 - alt. 226 ft - Vineyards
- 8 : mi 5.54 - alt. 240 ft - Hoenshovenstraat
- 9 : mi 6.13 - alt. 276 ft - Tjenne (work of art)
- 10 : mi 6.91 - alt. 213 ft - Helshoven, chapel, benches and picnic table
- 11 : mi 7.28 - alt. 285 ft - Helsheaven, a work of art and picnic area
- 12 : mi 9.27 - alt. 210 ft - Rijkel Castle
- 13 : mi 10.51 - alt. 207 ft - Cemetery
- S/E : mi 11.38 - alt. 154 ft - Zepperen Cemetery
Notes
This walk is an extended and reversed version of the 'Circular walk through the Limburg orchards starting from Helshoven'.
There are several benches and picnic areas along the route, as well as two cafés, brasseries and restaurants in Helshoven.
Other walks in the area
Circular through the Limburg orchards starting from Helshoven
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+213 ft
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Pear, apple and cherry trees, as well as vines, strawberry plants and currant bushes, ensure the wealth and reputation of this part of Limburg's Hesbaye region for its fruit production. There are orchards galore to admire in spring when they are in bloom and later in the season when they are producing fruit.
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+30 ft
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+374 ft
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Starting from Sint-Pieters-Heurne, the walk takes you through the rather hilly countryside of Limburg Hesbaye, passing by a castle here, a chapel there, a limestone cave, an orchard, or a large square-shaped Hesbaye farmhouse.Although the region is criss-crossed by land consolidation tracks and concrete cycle paths, traffic is usually limited to a few farm vehicles, bicycles and occasionally a group or two of Vespa enthusiasts.That said, the route also follows numerous country lanes and forest tracks where you mainly come across only walkers or joggers.The numerous orchards (pear and apple trees) add a pleasant touch to the route when in bloom.
Route des Châteaux à Tongeren
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+272 ft
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Route proposed by the walking club "Les Pantouflards de Wihogne" (FFBMP, LG041).
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+66 ft
-75 ft
5h 00
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Between Hasselt and the Demer valley lies a world of water and mist, shaped by floods and time. Herkenrode Abbey, founded in the 12th century, marks the starting point: a Cistercian centre, it recalls the ancient link between spirituality and nature.In Stokrooie, the landscape becomes wetter before reaching the Albert Canal, dug in the 20th century, a marriage between industry and ecology.The Wijvenheide nature reserve reveals its peaceful ponds, where herons, kingfishers and ospreys thrive. The Kleine Vijver, Witven and Grote Platwijer are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, between reed beds and floodplains.The Zonderikbeek and Vrankenschans meander through peat bogs and fields, witnesses to a time when the Demer shaped local life.The walk ends at the Bosvijver and the Vossen Kuil, where the silence of the water mingles with the breath of the wind.
Schulensboek, Demer valley
Visorando Member 9.82 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Herk-de-Stad (Province de Limbourg)
Welcome to the Demer valley, where water, reeds and meadows form a living landscape, shaped by time and floods. Around the village of Schulen, the Gulkerveld is reminiscent of the former floodplain, once feared, now a refuge for birds and botanists.With its 700 hectares, the Schulensbroek nature reserve is one of the largest wetlands in Flanders. Herons, greylag geese, lapwings and bitterns share the ponds and meadows.The Halbekerdijk, an old dyke, bears witness to the struggle against the waters, while the drier Vijversheide contrasts with its pine and birch trees. The Schulensmeer, created to regulate the floods of the Demer, has become a paradise for aquatic wildlife.Area: +700 ha, origin: floodplain, special features: artificial lake turned reserve, migratory birds, wetland flora.Here, the water tells the story of the landscape and the passage of time.
Schulensmeer and Schulensbroek
Visorando Member 
7.74 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
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Moderate
Departure from Herk-de-Stad (Province de Limbourg)
Schulen Lake and the adjacent marshes are part of the Wijers region , which is home to 1,001 ponds. It is a paradise not only for birds, but also for birdwatchers and walkers. Of course, bird populations vary depending on the season, but you will almost always see egrets, ducks, cormorants, coots, herons, geese and sometimes even the odd kingfisher. Goats and sheep are helping to rehabilitate some of the banks.
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