Morning walks in Bilzen-Hoeselt
We started the morning with a gentle 4.2 km walk through the nature area of De Hoefaert. The trail begins at Hoefaertweg in Bilzen and quickly pulls you into the quiet: tall pine trees, golden leaves, and open spaces where the forest feels alive. There are benches along the way, perfect for a short break, and clear signs so you always know where you’re headed. The path is calm and easy, surrounded by horses and the soft colours of autumn. A peaceful start to the day :)
Lunch with a view of Alden Biesen
After our morning walk, we drove towards Alden Biesen — a castle estate in Bilzen that’s worth a stop on its own. Right next to it, you’ll find Het Gasthuis, a cosy restaurant with a terrace overlooking the castle grounds. We found a table in the sun, still surprisingly warm for October, and settled in. We shared a goat cheese salad and a classic Belgian “stoverij” — both simple, comforting, and full of flavour. Comfort food, a drink, and good company. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Biketrip around Bilzen
In the afternoon, we hopped on our electric bikes for what was supposed to be a 20 km ride through the Bilzen area. It accidentally turned into 40km — oops. We rented the bikes at the tourist center at the Alden Biesen castle, where you can also grab a cycling map that connects all the local routes. The paths are easy to follow and take you through open fields, quiet forests, and small villages — horses in the distance, old farmhouses, and long stretches of countryside with barely a car in sight. The weather stayed beautiful, the roads smooth, and the views made up for the extra 20 kilometres. Safe to say we were a bit exhausted by the end, but it was worth it. - this trip was made in collaboration with Visit Bilzen-Hoeselt.
A walk that tastes like Bilzen: Teugëlë Prùvë
To end the day, we joined Teugëlë Prùvë — an 8km evening walk that combines nature, local food, and a bit of Bilzen tradition. The route started near Zaal Ter Kommen and took us through the fields and forest paths as the sun set. At different stops along the way, we got small bites and drinks from local producers — simple, good food shared with people who were all there to enjoy the same thing. Walking in the dim light, with a flashlight in hand, it felt like a gentle shift to the evening.
Total relaxation at BAST
After a full day of walking and biking, we arrived at BAST in the evening. The cabin is tucked into the forest near Hoeselt — cosy, minimalistic, and designed to feel calm and simple. No Wi-Fi, no distractions, just the quiet of the woods all around. The perfect place that immediately makes you relax. We lit the fire, poured a drink, played a card game and settled in for a relaxed evening. The next morning, the sunlight woke us up slowly while snoozing in bed, with a view over a field where the sun was rising. A brunch box was delivered to the door, full of delicious treats, and we spent the morning sipping coffee, reading, or just soaking in the calm. It’s exactly the kind of place that makes you slow down, breathe, and enjoy being in the middle of the forest. - this trip was made in collaboration with Visit Bilzen-Hoeselt.