Cycling over Water in Bokrijk offers a unique experience among ponds, enhances ecology, and restores the historic landscape
Cycling through Water Bokrijk
Cycling through Water Bokrijk
For the western pond area of Bokrijk, BuroLandschap developed a landscape master plan that reinterprets the historic pond landscape of De Wijers in a contemporary way. The interventions not only strengthened the ecological value of the area but also created a new, open landscape with broad perspectives and space for unique experiences. The iconic cycling route Cycling over Water forms the central landmark of this redesign.
The project area is part of De Wijers, the largest contiguous pond area in Belgium and a European protected nature reserve. The ponds, originally created by the Cistercians of the Herkenrode Abbey in the 13th and 14th centuries, today provide valuable habitats for species such as the tree frog and the bittern.
The project area is part of De Wijers, the largest contiguous pond area in Belgium and a European protected nature reserve. The ponds, originally created by the Cistercians of the Herkenrode Abbey in the 13th and 14th centuries, today provide valuable habitats for species such as the tree frog and the bittern.
BuroLandschap prepared the master plan for the full landscape redevelopment of the western pond area, including the landscape integration of Cycling over Water, designed by Lens ass°. By reopening old fish ponds, the original open pond landscape was restored and strengthened. Dense vegetation was removed to restore long sightlines to the Bokrijk Open-Air Museum, creating new landscape perspectives and strong spatial cohesion.
Cycling over Water is a cycling path that cuts between two ponds. The water level reaches just below eye level, allowing cyclists to experience the landscape in an unprecedented way. The combination of landscape simplicity and intense immersion has made it an international visitor favorite.
Cycling over Water receives international recognition
The American magazine TIME named Cycling over Water one of the 100 best places in the world to visit in their annual World’s Greatest Places list. In addition, the project was awarded the World Landscape Architecture Award (WLA) and received numerous other international prizes and accolades.