In 1881, the railway connection Londerzeel-Aalst, via Steenhuffel and Opwijk, was opened. This was a single track that connected the existing railway lines Mechelen - Dendermonde and Brussels - Ghent.
The original intention was to establish a freight connection between Douai and Antwerp. However, it soon became clear that freight transport did not meet expectations, so the railway was used for passenger transport. It was taken out of service on October 4, 1952.
Initially, a morning and an evening train was retained between Opwijk and Aalst, but this was abolished in 1962.
The railway remained abandoned for years until 1978 when the section between Londerzeel and Opwijk was transformed into a cycling and walking path: the Leirekensroute.
(VZW Leireken)

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

April 14, 2025

The cycle and walking path is located on the old railway bed between Aalst and Londerzeel: a distance of about 20 km. The original railway line 61 was a connection for freight traffic between Douai and Antwerp.
However, it soon became clear that freight transport did not meet expectations, so the track was used for passenger transport.

It was taken out of service on 4 October 1952.

Want to know more? Click through to leirekensroute.be/geschiedenis

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Distance 1.18 km

Uphill 0 m

Downhill 0 m

Weather

Sunday 21 December

8°C

3°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: -- km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Londerzeel, Halle-Vilvoorde, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Palm Brewery hop - Steenhuffel

Winding Road from Londerzeel to Sint-Jozef

Hennenput Pond, Buggenhoutbos

Sint-Medardus and Sint-Gildardus Church, Rossem

Mooie Bosdreef

Fietsostrade F19 Dendermonde–Mechelen (Bahntrassenweg L52)

Mooie inkijk Hof Te Melis

Kasteel - waterburcht Diepensteyn

Geographical Center of Flanders Monument

Gravel Path in Lippelobos

Buggenhoutbos Southern Trail

Peizegem–Malderen via Buggenhoutbos

Leirekensroute Former Railway Path

1. Palm Brewery hop field - Steenhuffel – The Lerieken wagon loop from Opwijk

2. Heide Mill, Malderen – Palm Brewery hop field - Steenhuffel loop from Heizijde

3. Fort Liezele – Buggenhout Forest loop from Heizijde

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️