Top nature in the Demerbroeken
The Demer is one of the major rivers in Flemish Brabant. It has created a vast marshy nature reserve in the valley between Averbode, Testelt, Zichem and Diest: the Demerbroeken. You walk through hay meadows, deciduous forest and reed beds in unspoiled nature. In the spring you can see marsh marigolds, hedgehog buttercups and cuckoo flowers. On top of that you get beautiful panoramas and enormous birdlife. There are marked Demerbroeken walks.
Canoeing on the Dijle
The Dijle is also an important river. Of course you can explore the area by bike or on foot. But why not do it from the water? Depart from Korbeek-Dijle with a canoe, kayak or supboard and sail to Heverlee. On the way you will see Doode Bemde nature reserve, your trip ends just before Arenberg Castle.
Discover the Zenne Valley
The long Zenne meanders beautifully southwest of Brussels. Here the Zenne Valley and Pajottenland are famous for their wild yeasts, with which lambic is brewed. With the Wild Yeast Route you cycle through the grasslands along the Zenne, past beautiful castles and several breweries. Or go packrafting: you paddle in an inflatable boat on the Zenne and then walk back through the beautiful valley.
Cycling along canals
Let yourself be surprised by Vilvoorde. Via the Canal Route, you first cycle along the beautiful English garden Drie Fonteinen, and then ride for miles alongside the Brussels-Scheldt Canal to Kapelle-op-den-Bos. Slowly you exchange the port area with its impressive locks and bridges for wide rural views. You return to Vilvoorde via winding roads, partly along the Zenne.
Tip: The Leuvensevaart, officially the Leuven-Dijle Canal, also runs through the province. There are old locks on the canal, protected as monuments. You come across them on the Dijle Valley Route, among others.
Bird watching in Het Vinne
Het Vinne in Zoutleeuw is the largest natural inland lake in Flanders. In the accompanying provincial domain, you can experience nature up close thanks to four signposted walks, plank paths and bird-watching huts. The landscape garden with new play forest is a fun base for children.