A solid gravel ride right through Turnhout and deep into the surrounding Kempen — a ride that looks easy on the map but quickly shows its teeth. The mix of forest paths, sandy stretches and canal-side gravel makes it a varied but demanding route.

The ride starts on smooth gravel roads between pine forests east of Turnhout. Early sunlight cuts through the trees, the air still cool and dry. Soon the surface changes — compact gravel gives way to loose sand and rougher woodland tracks. Momentum matters here; it’s constant micro-adjustments on the bars to keep the bike steady.

Crossing into the city, the route threads right through Turnhout’s centre, surprisingly bike-friendly, before heading out again along the Kanaal Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten. The canal section offers rhythm and shade — fast gravel, flat lines, and the sound of water close by.

After that, the landscape opens into farmland and small villages. Straight sandy roads cut between fields and tree lines, typical Kempen scenery: green, spacious, and quietly endless. In late spring, rhododendrons along the forest paths add a splash of colour to the otherwise earthy tones.

The final stretch loops back through wooded terrain, with alternating sections of fast gravel and slower singletrack. It’s a route that demands focus not for the climbs, but for the constant change in surface and texture.