Begin at the Neerpelt train station and follow signs for bike path 241, a paved way which rises gently, train tracks on one side, houses and gardens of downtown Neerpelt on the other. The path crosses the Kempen canal; while descending from the bridge on the opposite side, note the tall tree to the left with four separate birds’ nests crowding its branches. This section of the ride is bustling with life now that spring has returned and is an excellent destination for this time of year.

From here, follow signs for bike route 220 and then 218. The way remains paved and flat, leading past tall stands of oak, with a shallow gully on the right in place of the train tracks. Exiting from the forest, a road of rather opulent gated homes appears on the left and then the path soon returns to another stretch of woods, lined here by tall conifers bent by the persistent push of the wind.

The Witteberg Nature Preserve opens out to the left. Horse trails cross the bike path; soon you pass several horse farms and jumping rings; a long white building to the right is a harness manufacturer. This is horse country, though with one notable exception: a single pasture shared among goats, geese and roosters, which makes for a rather dissonant stretch of riding as they all rush to the fence to extend their greetings.

Pass the buildings of Achel; signs along the way indicate nearby cafes that cater to cyclists. Leaving town, the path returns to the road at a roundabout. Cross here and follow signs for path 217 along more farms and then to the left past the Café De Zarem.

Across the field that opens out next to the café, the abbey appears suddenly in the distance, its gray stone walls hiding it until the last minute.

The road leads right up to the side entrance and the café, renovated recently with EU support. There is a map here to help guide visitors. The abbey itself is ahead, but be sure before leaving to pass through the whole driveway, where the Belgian/Dutch border is marked in white paint, to say you biked to the Netherlands.