48 hours in Lambiekland: walking and cycling past castles and breweries

A tasty welcome

At the Regional Produce Centre, just a five-minute walk from the imposing St Martin’s Basilica in Halle, you can sample everything that makes the Pajottenland so special: from gueuze and kriek to Pajottenland ketchup, crisps, rapeseed oil, sparkling wine and pralines. A feast for food lovers! Under the same roof, Lien Sterck welcomes you to her Hotel Hallensis. You’ll stay in stylish rooms, right above the region’s most delicious flavours.

A walk with the Lambiekstoempers

A lambiek stoemper? That’s what people used to use to crush a sugar lump into a geuze or lambiek. But you don’t need to sweeten this Lambiek Stoemper walk – it’s perfect just as it is. From the historic heart of Halle, follow the banks of the Zenne through the green countryside to the Kluisbos, just in time for lunch on the terrace of the authentic café De Kluis. Be sure to pop into the café-brewery Den Herberg for an Oude Geuze Devillé.

Visiting Frank Boon

A visit to Lambiekland isn’t complete without a brewery tour. There’s plenty to choose from in and around Halle: Boerenerf, 3 Fonteinen, Hanssens, or… the living legend Frank Boon. In 1972, he began making gueuze in his cellar. Today, the Boon brewery has become a landmark of lambic brewing, complete with a beer shop, the Boon Bar and guided tours of the brewery. Enjoy a geuze as an aperitif, before savouring classic cuisine at Restaurant Alsput, where you’ll receive a warm welcome from Mieke and her daughter Hilde.

Cycling with Bruegel and Lambic

On day two, you’ll explore the countryside by cycling. The Lambic-Bruegel Route (32.6 km) winds its way like a paintbrush through Bruegel’s scenery. You’re sure to recognise the little church of Sint-Anna-Pede from the painting *The Parable of the Blind*. Along the way, you’ll pass breweries such as Girardin, Lindemans, Timmermans, De Troch, 4Pajot and Kestemont. Lias Kestemont welcomes you on the terrace of his square farmhouse, where he breathed new life into the old Goossens brewery in 2021.

A count’s castle

It’s a short cycle ride to the most beautiful castle in Lambiekland: Gaasbeek Castle. First, have lunch at Brasserie Graaf at the entrance to the castle grounds. Then you’ll walk along the picturesque forest lane until the imposing Lion’s Gate comes into view. The guide recounts thrilling tales from the castle’s 800-year history – including beheadings! Fortunately, you can take a moment to recover with an ice cream from the Krijmerie in Gaasbeek.

TIP!
If you’ve got some time to spare, hop into a canoe and drift along the Zenne from Lot to Drogenbos.
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