Cycling Through the Trees at Bosland

Cycling Through the Trees is a circular elevated cycle path in the Pijnven forest at Bosland, near Hechtel-Eksel in the province of Limburg in the Flemish Region of Belgium. The bridge forms a roughly 700 m loop that lifts riders gradually up to around 10 m above the ground, bringing them level with the crowns of the tall pine trees and giving a view of the forest floor, the canopy and the wildlife that lives there. It forms part of the wider Limburg cycling-experience network, in which a series of unusual cycle structures are linked by the junction-based route system. The path is a public cycle route, so it is free to use at any time and there is no booking, operator or admission fee. The gradient is gentle and the surface smooth, so it suits families, casual cyclists and children who can ride independently, and no special fitness is needed. A bike and helmet are required, and they can be brought along or hired in the Bosland area; electric bikes work well on the surrounding forest routes. Riders should keep to the right, ride at a controlled speed and avoid stopping on the bridge, since the deck is narrow and shared with other cyclists. Railings run along both sides, but young children should be supervised. Strong wind, ice or wet leaves can make the deck slippery, and heavy storms are a reason to postpone because of falling branches. There is no formal rescue plan on site, but the emergency number 112 serves the whole area. The best time is April to October, when the forest is green and paths are dry. Early mornings and weekdays are quieter, while sunny weekends and holidays draw many visitors. Autumn colours make the canopy especially attractive. The ride itself takes only 30 to 60 minutes and is usually combined with longer cycling or mountain biking on the surrounding Bosland routes.