Disclaimer: The routes are made for its heart shape. So we crisscross residential areas, old industry sites, along rivers and canals, through for ests and parks. We alternate nicely paved bike paths with poorly maintained concrete slab roads and here and there you can expect an unpaved trail. You will definitely discover new paths you did not suspect existed! Really the thing for those who prefer adventure to high averages;-)
The 60 km heart route is one that will surprise you. It contains a few off-road roads, but is perfectly accessible with a road bike.
We ride past the Central Station to the North of the city.
We leave Antwerp via the new Bicycle Bridge past Merksem and then go off-road briefly through Bouckenborg Park.
Via Schoten, we then head towards Wijnegem, where we ride over the lock complex.
The route then goes criss-cross through the villa districts of 's Gravenwezel and Schilde to finally arrive at the Anti-tank moat. Because anti-tank, that's what we are at Hearts for Gaza ;-) We ride for several kilometers on the typical so-called Dolomite, compact gravel that is perfectly doable with thin road bike tires.
We then navigate through the wooded areas of Halle Zoersel and Oelegem to Massenhoven.
After crossing the Albert Canal, the woods give way to the fields and farms between Broechem and Emblem.
It then heads towards Lier via the old tramway bed between Broechem and Lier, where it is super quiet and safe cycling.
Once we get to Lier, we take the bike lane back to Antwerp. This relatively new bike road is an ideal red carpet to Cafe Rood-Wit, where a well-deserved recuperation drink awaits you.
