Bertem brings together visible traces of its history and opportunities to explore the surrounding area on foot. In Bertembosveld, the medieval field layout is still clearly visible, while walking trails lead through sunken lanes to forests and a nature reserve. This means different interests can shape your travel plans: heritage, church art and time in the great outdoors.

Church Art and Historic Ensembles

The Sint-Pieterskerk in Bertem was built in the first half of the 11th century in the Romanesque style, more specifically the Mosan Romanesque style. The church also houses a 12th-century Romanesque depiction of the seated Madonna and Child. The wooden figure is polychromed. The church and artwork offer two distinct points of reference in time: the early church building and a later work of art.

Another testament to the town’s history is the Pastorij van Bertem. The entire complex has been a protected monument since 1993; it includes the coach house, gatehouse, wall and moat. Today, the Pastorij serves as a cultural and tourist meeting centre. The Erfgoedkamer Bertem is also based there. This allows you to consider the historic fabric of the buildings alongside their present-day cultural and tourist use.

Distinct from this is the Pastorie Sint-Pietersparochie: it dates from 1770 and stands in a completely walled garden surrounded by a moat. Its name resembles that of the Pastorij van Bertem, but these are two different historic ensembles. If you are interested in architectural history, it is worth keeping their features separate rather than treating both places as a single complex.

Walking Trails and Navigation

The Bertemboswandeling leads through sunken lanes to Bertembos, the Koeheide nature reserve and Eikenbos. These destinations give the walk its character: it links several named natural and wooded areas along a single route. Further route details are not provided here; plan your walk using the information you need for your visit.

The Brabantse Wouden walking junction network is different: it connects 700 kilometres of walking trails. There is an important local detail to bear in mind when navigating: in the area above the Leuven–Tervuren road towards Kortenberg, Bertem, Herent and Leuven, junctions are present but are not signposted on site. In this area, follow them using a map or the free Wandelknooppunt app. The Bertemboswandeling is a named walking route to specific destinations, while the junction network offers a different way to navigate the trails.

Speelbos ’t Vossenhol

At Speelbos ’t Vossenhol, natural play features are used instead of conventional play equipment. The recommended ways to get there are on foot or by bicycle. There is also a play meadow at the play forest; the paved path alongside it is accessible to wheelchair users. This information applies to the path beside the play meadow, not to the entire site. Check the conditions before you arrive.

When choosing where to stay in Bertem, you can first consider which of these aspects is of particular interest for your trip: the Romanesque church and historic ensembles, a walk to the natural destinations mentioned above, or Speelbos. These places and activities offer different starting points for your plans; you do not have to combine them into a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Halle, Boutersem, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Overijse, Rebecq, Ternat, Perwez, Linden.

For the broader travel overview: Brabant.