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Leuven-Dijle Canal – Country Road Through Silsombos loop from Wespelaar-Tildonk

Leuven-Dijle Canal – Country Road Through Silsombos loop from Wespelaar-Tildonk

Easy

4.6

(5)

166

riders

Leuven-Dijle Canal – Country Road Through Silsombos loop from Wespelaar-Tildonk

01:40

37.3km

140m

Road cycling

Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 10, 2026

Tips

Includes movable bridges

Check opening times.

After 1.45 km for 13 m

After 35.8 km for 13 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

3.28 km

Café Maritieme

Highlight • Cafe

Place with a lot of history. Large terrace at the front and back with play area for the children.

Since 1763, Café Maritime has been the name of the lock house along the Leuven-Dijle canal, which was then already a café-restaurant. It is the only 18th century lock house along the canal that has been preserved together with that of the Zennegat.

This protected monument in classicist style dates from the period of Prince Charles of Lorraine, the Austrian Governor-General of the Netherlands. On February 9, 1750, he made the first sod for “the canal”. This was done with a silver spade, after which about 500 workers completed the 30 kilometer long canal in 2 years.

On December 21, 1752, it was filled with water. The fairly large decline of the water was absorbed by 3 locks: Kampenhout, Mechelen and 1 on the Zennegat. After a number of dike and lock breaches, the Mechelen lock had to take over the task by building 3 new locks: Boortmeerbeek, Battel and Tildonk, which were completed in 1763.

The lock in Tildonk is of the "belly shaft" type, so named after the semicircular recesses in the walls. The walls of the 18th century lock are still completely authentic almost everywhere. It is a double lock with 2 successive chambers of the belly type, of which the connecting doors have been removed (long ships). The operation used to be done by means of capstans, numerals. Together with the lock, the lockkeeper's house was also built, intended not only as a residence but also as a cafe, restaurant and hotel.

The draft horses could rest in the beautiful vaulted cellars. Skippers and fishermen could go there for a drink and a drink. Local residents came to collect their stock of mussels, which were brought in by horse barge from the Zennegat via Mechelen.
After half a century of standing "dry" along the water, this inn was restored by the Palm Brewery and reopened during the summer of the millennium year 2000. The monumental wooden staircase and a beautiful tiled floor are the first eye-catchers, soon followed by the prow of the late “Balboa” which serves as a bar.

Translated by Google •

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4.08 km

View of the Leuven-Dijle Canal

Highlight • Viewpoint

Beautiful towpath next to the Leuven-Dijle canal.
In good weather it can be a bit busier here, so it is best to avoid with larger groups of cyclists or walkers.

Translated by Google •

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4.97 km

Boortmalt Maltery

Highlight • Structure

Founded in 1924 by the Thirionet family, Boortmalt is a Belgian maltery. The facility was built in 1927. After the second World War a new large silo building was erected that still stands today.

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