Haspengouw Blossom Region

Haspengouw is the fruit belt of Belgium, gently rolling loam country in southern Limburg planted with pear, apple and cherry orchards on a large scale, and for about two weeks between mid-April and early May the whole region flowers, with pear coming first in white and apple following in pink. The blossom is the reason the region markets itself, with cycle and walking routes signed specifically for it, viewing points on the ridges, and a blossom season programme in the towns. Sint-Truiden is the centre of the fruit trade with an auction and a fruit museum. Outside the blossom weeks the region is quiet farmland with abbey remains, castles and the Borgloon steel church as its points of interest.

What you actually see

• Pear and apple blossom - white then pink across the whole region.
• Signed blossom cycle routes - the network laid out for the two weeks.
• Ridge viewpoints - the orchards seen across the rolling country.
• Sint-Truiden fruit trade - the auction and museum at the centre.

When to go

Mid-April to early May, and the exact window shifts each year with the weather, so check locally before booking. A day by bike or car. Weekends in blossom season bring heavy traffic on the country roads.

Honest expectations

The window is short, moves with the weather and can be cut down by rain or frost. Outside it there is little to see. Weekend traffic and parking in the lanes are a problem. Orchards are private and walking into them is not welcome.

Nearby

Borgloon and the steel church are in the region; Tongeren lies south.