Hellingenroute Heuvelland

Hellingenroute Heuvelland is a cycling route project in the Heuvelland municipality that promotes the local hills as a training area for mountainous rides. The project offers three routes of 40, 60, and 116 kilometers, featuring climbs such as the Kemmelberg, Scherpenberg, and Mont des Cats, with elevation gains of 434, 880, and 1498 meters respectively. The routes are available as free downloads, and bicycle GPS devices can be rented from Toerisme Heuvelland in Kemmel.

The routes are available as free downloads via the website, and bicycle GPS devices can be rented from Toerisme Heuvelland, located at Sint-Laurentiusplein 1, Kemmel. Each climb is described in detail on the site, including characteristics such as gradient and difficulty.

The 40-kilometer route includes 14 climbs, with the Terrierstraat being the first helling that features short, steep sections with surprisingly high maximum gradient percentages. The route also covers the Zavelaar, Zandberg, Scherpenberg, and culminates at the Kemmelberg.

The 60-kilometer route covers 20 climbs, including the Scherpenberg, which takes its name from the fact that it stands alone and sharply outlined in the landscape. From the top, there is a view of the spring head and the deeply incised bed of the Bruilloosbeek, which further upstream empties into the Kemmelbeek.

The 116-kilometer route includes 40 climbs, with the Zandberg featuring a café-restaurant called In de Zon. The owner, Menenaar Dirk Ghyselinck, was a professional cyclist in 1985 and rode for the Fangio-Ecoturbo team, which included William Tackaert.

The Zavelaar climb is known for its role in youth cycling competitions like the Kattekoers, where it is a challenge for young talent. At the entrance of the Zavelaar district, the Zavelaar vineyard of Vlamertingenaar Stefaan Decadt is located on the left side.

The business operates from Monday to Saturday between 9:30 and 12:00, and 13:00 and 17:00 from April 1 to November 15. On Sundays and holidays, the hours are 10:00 to 16:00.

From November 16 to March 31, the opening hours are adjusted to Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, with Sundays open from 10:00 to 16:00. On Mondays and holidays, the location is closed.

The routes feature climbs such as the Mont des Cats, which is included in the 60-kilometer route alongside the Mont Kokereel and Mont Noir. These climbs are part of the diverse landscape that the project aims to promote.

The project is located in the Heuvelland municipality, where the hills are referred to as 'bergen' by the residents. The municipality promotes these hills as an ideal training area for rides through the European high mountains.

The website provides detailed information on each climb, including characteristics such as gradient and difficulty. This information is available for all three routes, allowing cyclists to prepare adequately for their journey.

The business can be contacted via the website at www.debergen.be, and the social media handle @debergen is also available. The website was last updated in 2016, as indicated by the footer.

The project offers three distinct routes with varying distances and elevation gains, catering to different levels of cyclists. The 40-kilometer route is suitable for those looking for a shorter challenge, while the 116-kilometer route offers a more extensive experience.

The routes are designed to promote the local hills as a training area for mountainous rides, making them ideal for cyclists seeking to improve their skills. The project highlights the unique characteristics of each climb, such as the gradient and difficulty, to help cyclists prepare.

The official website of Hellingenroute Heuvelland is hellingenroute.be.