Springtime in Flemish Brabant? That means an explosion of colors! White and pink blossoms adorn the landscape and invite you for a beautiful walk. Put on your walking shoes and discover idyllic orchards, charming villages and breathtaking views. Whether you like rolling hills, historical sites or cosy stops, these five blossom walks will take you along the most beautiful spots of the Hageland.
Orchard walk, Glabbeek
Want to discover Glabbeek's largest fruit-growing area? Then the Orchard Walk is just what you're looking for! A touch of history: the starting point is the Church of Our Lady of Kapellen, which was founded in 1881 by Pepin van Landen, mayor of the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia. He built the church to counterbalance the Venus Temple on Mount Venus, dedicated to the Roman goddess of love, so where better to enjoy breathtaking views of the Steenbeek valley with your loved one(s)?
Meensel-Kiezegem walk, Tielt-Winge
The name Meensel-Kiezegem probably rings a (cycling) bell because Eddy Merckx was born here. But just as legendary as The Cannibal is the fruit in this village. Nowhere in Flemish Brabant will you find so many apple and pear trees. So the Meensel-Kiezegem walk is all about these healthy snacks. Along the way you will discover fruity works of art such as Symbiosis and De Reis. Fancy an apple to quench your thirst? Then score a tasty souvenir at the Fruit Vanhellemont farm store.
Pan Bridge Hike, Land
Whether all roads lead to Rome, we don't know, but that this hike takes you along the former Roman road from Tongeren to Kassel (France) and past beautiful blossoms, is certain. From the center of Neerlanden you step right into a landscape of vast orchards and fertile fields.
A perfect place to take a break is chapel 't Eikske, where you not only enjoy the view of the region, but are also joined by Mimesis, a fruit sculpture in the form of a Braille bench. Can you decipher the Braille writing?
Ironstone walk, Aarschot
The Sint-Pieterskerk of Langdorp, the vicarage of Wezemaal and the beguinage church in Diest... They have one thing in common: they were built with iron sandstone. This walk takes you along traces of quarries where this type of stone was mined.
Along the way you climb some typical Hageland witness hills such as the Eikelberg in Gelrode and the Wijngaardberg in Wezemaal. While braving the heights, you yourself witness the traces of ironstone quarries.
This walk can be shortened via junctions: 7 - 705 - 73 - 79 - 704 - 78 - 77 - 76 - 72 - 7.
Blossom walk, Zoutleeuw
A hike called "Blossom Walk Zoutleeuw" is of course not to be missed on our list. Along the way, you'll trek through wet meadows, forests, pools and fields, while blossoming fruit orchards brighten your path.
You walk towards the provincial domain Het Vinne, where you see a remarkable hill opposite the entrance: a motte, a castle hill from the 11th century. In Het Vinne, you discover Flanders' largest (and originally only!) natural inland lake. Boardwalks wind through meters-high reeds and lead you to a vast standard orchard with all sorts of apple and pear varieties.
Want to bring your binoculars? Good idea, because in this bird paradise there is no bird watching to be trifled with!