Hekelgem has largely preserved its rural character. Its local history and cultural landscape offer two distinct areas of interest: the mill, farms and chapels tell of construction dates, former ownership and local tradition; the Koudenbergbeekvallei is a varied landscape shaped by agriculture.
Heritage between the Mill, Farms and Chapels
The Oude Molen is a grain mill built between 1785 and 1786; its milling mechanism has been preserved. The Hekelgem route offers two more glimpses of the area’s architectural heritage: the former Griffiershof bears the inscription “Anno 1752”, and the route passes the restored H.Hartkapel.
The history of the farms is also linked to Hekelgem: Hof ter Saele, also known as Hof te Hekelgem, was formerly among the feudal properties of Affligem Abbey. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ter Kouter chapel is a small 19th-century chapel shaded by deciduous trees. The Hekelgem Kruisdagen tradition includes the Sint-Jozefkapel, the Heilig Hartkapel on Kwezelsweg and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Kouter chapel on Zwarteberg.
The historic sites each have a different focus: at the mill, grain milling and its preserved mechanism take centre stage; at the farm, its former feudal relationship with Affligem Abbey; and at the chapels, the religious tradition of the Kruisdagen. The dates serve different purposes: 1785–1786 are the mill’s construction years, “Anno 1752” is the inscription on the former Griffiershof, and the Ter Kouter chapel dates from the 19th century.
Landscape and Routes in Hekelgem
The Koudenbergbeekvallei in Hekelgem covers more than 70 hectares and combines woods, fields, pastures and rows of pollarded or hedgerow trees. The landscape is therefore not limited to a single type of land use: rows of trees and cultivated land are as much a part of it as woods and pastures. It also features unique spring flora and rare poplar varieties. The valley thus brings two aspects together: its agricultural character and distinctive botanical features. The Koudenbergbeekvallei can be accessed via the signposted Roofridderspad.
Both routes are suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, with a few small detours. On “Kapelletjes Hekelgem”, 3 km are on paved paths and 0.8 km on unpaved paths. The two sections add up to 3.8 km; the paved section is longer than the unpaved one. If the surface matters to you, you can take the sections into account separately when planning. “Hekelgem in een notendopje” is a circular walk that starts and ends at the car park of Hotel New Fox, Brusselbaan 182. Check the parking conditions before setting off, as they may change. This gives you a practical comparison when choosing a route: for “Kapelletjes Hekelgem”, the surface breakdown is relevant; for “Hekelgem in een notendopje”, the specified starting and ending point is the key detail.
For the broader travel overview: Affligem.
