The best walks and hikes around Hoegaarden

On one side fields, on the other marshes, pools and more water, the heart of the nature reserve from which all life springs.

A narrow hollow way, for sure. But above all a hollow way with a particularly rich life, not least of all the mammals typically found in hollow ways, which like to linger here, as evidenced by all the many tracks and entrances to all sorts of burrows. A delight. And typically Rosdel.

The many sunken roads in Hoegaarden (and its sub-municipalities like here) form valuable lines in the landscape. The preservation of these linear landscape elements was heavily debated in the first land consolidation plans. Through targeted actions, Natuurpunt was able to preserve a series of unpaved country roads. These green corridors are the habitat of the yellowhammer and woodlark. And you enjoy them. Source: https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/rosdel

The landscape of Hoegaarden sparks the imagination. With its wide vistas, deeply cut green valleys, and beautiful sunken roads, this region has become the mecca for the gentle nature lover. Here you will find a unique mix of space, nature, and silence. Between Hoegaarden and l’Ecluse-Beauvechain winds a beautiful valley area: Rosdel. Thanks to the efforts of Natuurpunt Velpe-Mene, the Schoorbroekbeek valley and its slopes have been ecologically strengthened after a large-scale land consolidation. The Rosdel and Schoorbroekvallei nature reserves now form a contiguous unit of nature in a vast agricultural landscape. These slopes have since grown into species-rich and structurally rich grasslands with many lime-loving species such as marjoram, bristly bellflower, and thyme-leaved speedwell. Source: https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/rosdel

Picnic on the edge of the Rosdel nature and valley area. Located on a cobblestone road and paths through the nature reserve. Diagonally behind the picnic bench, sometimes a bit hidden, is a slightly discolored information board about the Rosdel nature reserve. For those who like to digest some information with their picnic.

Meldertbos is actually more than a forest; it's a nature reserve consisting of forest, including wet areas (with the Mene), open spaces with hay meadows, ponds, and here and there remnants of the former castle garden. Even in early spring, you immediately notice that this could be an ideal place to find orchids. And it is, as you can read on the Natuurpunt website. Among the inhabitants, we find the grass snake. The scarlet elf cup can also be found here. From some of the diverse boardwalks, be sure to also look at the faded glory of the castle, including remnants of the swimming pool and even the changing room. This entire area is actually what the people from the Inventory of Immovable Heritage call a "sleeping garden". But sleeping doesn't mean dead. And as you can read on an information board from Natuurpunt: "Park awakens after 60 years of sleep". Be sure to combine it with the immediate surroundings of the castle, preferably outside of school days. There are more than enough remarkable trees. For those interested in garden architecture, there is also history to be found here. About Meldertbos at Natuurpunt: https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/meldertbos About the forest and the domain (with garden history and list of remarkable trees): https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/134188

After the castle was no longer used as a castle, the Chaplains of Labour emerged, who founded the Sint-Janscollege. But the building had other functions during the war years. During the First and Second World Wars, German and American troops occupied the domain, as evidenced by the graffiti left in the tower. In the late 1940s, the buildings were repurposed as a boarding school for war orphans, an initiative of the noble foundation ‘Aide aux Enfants de la Patrie’. And from 1957 onwards, the Chaplains of Labour established a Catholic boys' boarding school and school there. Source: https://sintjanscollegemeldert.be/over-ons/geschiedenis

Both the old and current castle of Meldert underwent major changes after devastating fires. The current castle, although dating from the mid-1840s, underwent drastic changes after a severe fire in 1877. After a fire (1568) had destroyed the donjon or medieval residential tower in the village center, the family of Montenaken, heirs of the knights of Meldert, built a square farmstead, further south and higher up, the old castle. Due to a series of inheritances, the building eventually came into the ownership of Louise van der Noot at the beginning of the 19th century. The severe fire in 1877, which originated on the second floor, caused so much damage to the roof and floors that the land registry considered the castle a ruin. Only in 1882 was it registered again as taxable and thus habitable. Heir Adrien d’Oultremont took advantage of this opportunity to redecorate the building to his taste and that of his time. The harmonious neo-Gothic manor house of Vivroux evolves into a sturdy medieval fortress… More medieval than the Middle Ages. Source and more: https://sintjanscollegemeldert.be/over-ons/geschiedenis