Wijgmaal - Aarschot (21 km)

Happy New Year, dear hikers! For those who are already back in Brussels and in need of a bit of fresh air after the holiday indulgences, let's go for a hike along the Demer north of Leuven!
We will start the hike at the train station of Wijgmaal and walk through a varied landscape of fields, forests, wetlands and little villages until we reach Aarschot where we will look for a final drink. I have my eye on the Cafe of the Microbrouwerij Den Druppel, which hopefully should be open on Sunday.

As the number of participants is limited, it is important that you manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!).
We will try to keep close to an average speed of about 5 km/h. We will walk mainly on unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning (i.e. it may become longer ;-).

●●You can find the gpx track here:
Wikilocs: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/von-wijgmaal-nach-aarschot-245677630
Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2736829818?share_token=aOZGC8Jg3X1oT53xxZvt7wU5rd6EOExuaFTO5VstLpBq88iL7L&ref=wtd

●●Meeting point:
We meet at 10h00 in the main hall of Gare Central, in front of Starbucks, and take the train at 10.16 (IC3607 to Leuven). We change to the train to Mechelen (leaving Leuven at 10.54) and arrive in Wijgmaal at 11.00.

●● Train tickets:
BXL- Wijgmaal 5.40€ (3.20€ with Train+), Aarschot-BXL 6.80€ (4.10€ with Train+)

●● Back to Brussels:
From Aarschot there are two trains back to Bxl every hour, at XX.14 and XX.36 and (41/43 min to Gare Central)

●● Specifics:
Distance: ca 21 km
Elevation gain: almost nothing
Net walking time: ca 4,5 h
Weather forecast: frosty but sunny, with maybe some snow on the ground

In the unlikely case of too bad weather, we may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the Meetup.com website and/or your emails.

●● What to bring:

• Warm and comfortable hiking clothes &shoes (waterproof unless you don't mind wet feet)
• rain gear
• water and drink for the breaks (hot tea might be a good idea)
• Compeed for blisters
• some small money for drinks

●● Basic rules:
Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse.
Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list.

●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability:
You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability.