A day among the Limburg blossoms with your dog
A day trip to the blossom region in Limburg with your dog In spring, Haspengouw transforms into a sea of blossoms. Orchards filled with apple and pear trees turn white and soft pink, giving the landscape an almost fairy-tale atmosphere. It is without doubt one of the most beautiful moments of the year to head out with your dog.
For those who enjoy walking with their dog, Haspengouw is an ideal spring destination. You combine peaceful walking routes, beautiful blossoms, wide open views and cosy stops along the way.
Haspengouw is the region in Belgium to walk among the blossoms. Especially around Sint-Truiden, Borgloon and Nieuwerkerken you will find beautiful routes through the fruit landscape of Limburg.
💡 Tip: want to be sure you see the blossoms at their best?
From March onwards you can follow the current blossom status via the region’s blossom trackers:
This way you know exactly when the orchards are in full bloom.
In this blog you will discover two beautiful blossom walks that can easily be combined into one relaxing day trip.
Blossom walk in Nieuwerkerken
Nieuwerkerken is located in the heart of Haspengouw, a region famous for its fruit orchards. During blossom season, you’ll walk past endless rows of apple and pear trees in full bloom.
Parking is easy at the town square, where four signposted walking routes start:
- Schelfheidewandeling – green arrow – 5 km
- Panoramawandeling – orange arrow – 5.5 km
- Gelukswandeling – 10 km
- Elsbroekswandeling – blue arrow – 12 km
We chose the Panoramawandeling (5.5 km), an ideal distance to fully enjoy the scenery. Along the way, you’re treated to beautiful views over Nieuwerkerken and the Gete Valley, and you’ll pass two protected nature areas: De Zijp and Muggenbosken.
During the blossom season, you literally walk among the flowering trees. Especially in April, the orchards turn white and soft pink, creating a magical spring atmosphere.
Break stop: Snoetjes & Toetjes
After the walk, Snoetjes & Toetjes is a lovely place to take a break in Nieuwerkerken.
This cosy spot is known for homemade waffles, ice cream and other sweet treats.
Your dog gets a bowl of fresh water and there is even dog ice cream available, a nice treat after the walk.
Snoetjes & Toetjes is also a WinstonWelcome ambassador from the very beginning. It is therefore a place where dogs are warmly welcomed. 🥰
Take your time to sit on the terrace for a while. During blossom season it is wonderful to relax here before continuing to the next walk.
Blossom walk near the Transparent Church in Borgloon
After our stop, we continued on to Borgloon. We parked our car near Sint-Servatius Church in Groot-Loon (between junctions 42 and 25). It’s much quieter there than trying to park as close as possible to the see-through church Reading Between the Lines.
Route via junctions (starting point: Sint-Servatius Church):
25-18-29-30-41-42-25
Tip: Make sure to have this map on your phone or print it out, as the junctions are poorly signposted in this area.
Highlights:
- Between 25 and 42: Groot-Loon nature reserve
- Between 91 and 18: the see-through church Reading Between the Lines. (The church is not directly on this route, but very close to junction 18.) It’s clearly signposted, so you won’t miss it.
- Between 29 and 30: Twijfelgrens
This walk takes you through the gently rolling countryside around Borgloon. If you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings, like me, you might feel like you’ve stepped straight into the Shire while crossing the nature reserve.
In spring, the orchards are in full bloom, making this route especially beautiful. Do keep in mind that the paths are a bit more uneven and the elevation changes are more noticeable than on the first walk. Sturdy shoes are highly recommended, especially if you’re walking with children or anyone who is less steady on their feet.
Practical tips for your blossom trip
The blossom season in Haspengouw usually runs from late March to mid-April, depending on the weather.
Useful tips for your visit:
- come early in the day to avoid crowds
- respect private property of fruit farmers
- bring water for your dog
- choose quiet rural paths
The region around Sint-Truiden, Nieuwerkerken and Borgloon is perfect to combine nature, walking and cosy stops.
Anyone visiting Haspengouw in spring quickly understands why this region is known as the blossom heart of Belgium.
End the day with a cosy dinner
Feeling hungry after all that walking?
End your day with a delicious dinner at Bogest in Borgloon, a great spot to unwind after an active day. Enjoy a tasty meal in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, with friendly service that makes you feel right at home. They’re especially known for their wide selection of high-quality meats, just what you need after a day outdoors.
The perfect way to end a day among the blossoms in Haspengouw. 🌸
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