Fietsen door de Bomen

A bridge that spirals up through the trees

In the Limburgse Bosland, just outside Hechtel-Eksel, stands one of the most photographed cycling structures in Belgium: a spiral wooden bridge that slowly carries you up through the tops of the pine trees. The structure is officially called 'Fietsen door de Bomen' and is part of a larger cycling route network in Bosland. But anyone who comes here without a camera is missing out.

The construction is a subject in itself. The spiral has an almost abstract quality when you stand right beneath it and look up. With a wide-angle lens, say 16 to 24mm, you can capture the curve and the trunks in a single frame. If you want a compression effect and prefer to show the bridge in relation to the forest, a longer focal length works better, somewhere around 70 to 135mm.

Light and season

The bridge sits in the middle of a pine forest, which means direct sunlight is rare. In this case, that is actually an advantage. Overcast weather gives you a flat, soft light that renders the wood texture beautifully without harsh shadows. Early in the morning it is quiet, and mist sometimes hangs between the trunks. That adds a layer of depth you simply do not get during the day.

Autumn is the strongest period. The low sun angles through the forest, and if there are deciduous trees nearby you get warm colours added to the mix. But honestly, the location works well in winter too: bare trunks, grey light, minimalist lines.

Practical

There is a large car park on the edge of Bosland near the Recreatiedomein Hengelhoef in Hechtel-Eksel. From there you cycle or walk to the bridge. The distance is short, but bring your tripod if you want to work with longer shutter speeds. The location is freely accessible and open all year. At weekends and during school holidays it gets busy, particularly with families. Come early if you want peace and quiet.

No permits are required for personal photographic use. For commercial shoots in the domain, it is best to check in advance with Bosland or Toerisme Limburg.

Sources and further reading

• Bosland officiële website
• Toerisme Limburg: Fietsen door de Bomen
• Gemeente Hechtel-Eksel