In Asse, a variety of things to discover lie side by side: Roman history and historic buildings, hop folklore, art trails and natural areas. When planning your trip, it is worth first choosing your main focus. The trails differ not only in length, but also in whether they focus on art, landscape or a particular route.

Cultural history and hop folklore

The Erfgoedmuseum Asse presents both the Roman history of Asse and the history of the former Oud Gasthuis. Admission is free; check this information again before your trip. The Oud Gasthuis was originally a house for travellers. Its U-shaped building complex and courtyard provide a tangible architectural example. Stately townhouses stand on the Marktplein, a square that dates back to the early Middle Ages.

Hop culture is also part of the townscape: a bronze statue of the Hopduvel stands in the market square and represents local hop folklore. The Hopduvelfeesten take place in Asse every two years. If the festival is relevant to your trip, check the event dates in advance. The Sint-Martinuskerk offers another perspective on local architectural history: it is an important Gothic building made of sandstone from the region. Restoration of its stained-glass windows was completed in 2017, after 24 years.

For outdoor art, Tour Surprise takes you through Asse. Small artistic paintings are set in unexpected places along the route, which is about 3.5 kilometres long and passes through the centre. The Hopveld met kunstwerk focuses more on hop motifs: six sculptures stand among the hop vines. A walking path featuring proverbs and sayings from old herb books adds another artistic element. Along the way, you can walk among the hop plants, touch and smell the hops. The permanent Educatief Wandelpad Archeologie explores the subject of archaeology alongside these art attractions.

Choose trails by length and theme

Asse has ten signposted walks, each with an overview of the sights along the route. Three routes can be compared by their published lengths: Tour Surprise is about 3.5 kilometres long, the Putberg walking loop is 4.7 kilometres, and the Vlietbronnenwandeling is 8.5 kilometres. The Vlietbronnenwandeling starts at Asse railway station. On the Putberg walking loop, you can follow the signposts, use the ErfgoedApp or follow a printed brochure. The facilities described along the route include benches, picnic benches, information boards and a bridge over the Broekebeek. The Vlietbronnenwandeling starts at Asse railway station; on the Putberg walking loop, you can follow the signposts, use the ErfgoedApp or refer to a printed brochure.

For a cycling trip, there is also the 37-kilometre Hoproute. It passes hop fields in Affligem, Asse and Opwijk. Since October 2023, the Asphaltcosite site has had a bike park with a technical course and various obstacles for mountain bikes and BMX bikes.

Forest, bird habitat and open landscape

Kartelobos, also known locally as Kettelobos, covers twelve hectares and is the largest forest in the municipality of Asse. This old deciduous forest consists mainly of beeches, pedunculate oaks, ash trees, alders and willows. Rietveld is much smaller, at approximately one hectare. It provides a suitable breeding site for migratory birds such as the reed warbler, sedge warbler and reed bunting. The two areas therefore represent different aspects of nature: a deciduous forest with a variety of tree species and a habitat for migratory birds.

The Kruisborre-Ommegang lies in a valuable landscape with wide-ranging views. There, field paths follow meadows, woodland and orchards in the valley of the Nieuwermolenbeek. In the Kruisborrevallei in Asse, a former fishing pond has also been transformed into a pond area rich in species. It provides additional habitat for amphibians, insects and plants. Expansive landscapes and a species-rich pond habitat add a natural perspective to the area's history.

Plan your stay around your interests

If you are looking for hotels in Asse, your preferred walking distance can be a useful factor when planning your trip: Tour Surprise is about 3.5 kilometres long, while the Vlietbronnenwandeling is 8.5 kilometres.

Discover more destinations: Bierbeek, Rixensart, Geetbets, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Hoeilaart, Werchter, Tielt-Winge, Tervuren

For the main travel overview: Brabant.