Day 6: Boutersem - Leuven

• Boutersem - Leuven, 27 kilometres (16.7 miles)
• Iconic cycle route: Hilly Route

Just a stone’s throw away, on the last short stage, we find ourselves near the language border running through Belgium. Interesting for those who take the trouble to understand the historic language struggle . The route takes us to Bierbeek, with its colourful water tower, and then through the National Park Forests of Brabant to Leuven; a cobblestoned path lined with trees to the left and right, we cross the forest for at least fifteen kilometres (9.3 miles) before we reach our final destination - Leuven. We buy pralines at Zuut, a top-notch shop for chocolate, take a quick look at Park Abbey outside the city centre, and then walk into the trendy hall of the railway station. Our delightful introduction to three of the nine iconic cycle routes has reached its conclusion.