Bierbeek’s cultural heritage map brings together churches, chapels, the water tower, three monumental institutional parks, numerous sunken lanes and striking square farmsteads. It can be downloaded as a visitor resource and provides an overview of the area’s many different facets. The tourism office also offers ready-planned walks and cycling routes. This lets you locate cultural sites on the map first, or plan your stay around specific route themes.
Forests, sunken lanes and walks
Bierbeek’s extensive woodland is largely thanks to the Meerdaal Forest, one of the largest forests in the Flemish Region. The area also has kilometres of sunken lanes, which are characteristic of the region. Signposted walks for different fitness levels take you through the landscapes of Bierbeek, Korbeek-Lo, Lovenjoel and Opvelp. The stated difficulty level and the named villages give you concrete points of comparison when choosing a walk. Mountain bike routes also run through Bierbeek, offering an alternative to walking.
Cycling routes with different themes
The Knoestige fietsroute Bierbeek takes you along characteristic sunken lanes and past wayside chapels, churches and avenues in castle parks. Along the way, it showcases the region’s woodland heritage. The distance of the Bierbeekse zorgfietsroute is clearly specified: this 30 km cycling route passes care facilities and social initiatives. The Fietstocht Villers is still accessible by bike and passes farmsteads that were once associated with the Cistercian order. The routes therefore differ in their stated focus: sunken lanes and buildings along the way, social services, or the former connection between farmsteads and the Cistercians.
Churches, chapels and notable landmarks
The Sint-Hilariuskerk dates from the 12th century and is considered one of the best-preserved Romanesque churches in Flanders. It is also an example of the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic style. Its transepts contain two Baroque confessionals dating from 1684. Important for planning your visit: the church is not open; you can contact the parish office to arrange a visit. The Watertoren van Bierbeek is spherical in shape, has a capacity of 500 m³ and stands 29 metres tall. Bierbeek also has more than 20 chapels and small chapels. Numerous monumental square farmsteads are scattered throughout the area and bear witness to the region’s prosperity; most are privately occupied.
Parks and local history in Lovenjoel
The Groot Park and Klein Park in Lovenjoel are home to rare and unusual trees, including bald cypresses, rare oak species, beeches, a zelkova and a Magnolia grandiflora. A 25 ha estate extended across Lovenjoel in the Molenbeek valley. Groot Park is home to Castle de Spoelberch, while Klein Park contains the Felixhof. Together, the variety of trees, the valley setting and the two distinct park buildings offer a concrete insight into Lovenjoel’s landscape and architectural history.
Discover more destinations: Ittre, Haacht, Genval, Chastre, Aarschot, Court-Saint-Etienne, Zemst, Braine-L'alleud.
For the broader travel overview: Brabant.
