In Glabbeek, the choice ranges from trails through forests and orchards to routes in two valleys. There are also protected village landscapes, historic buildings and activities that highlight agriculture and art. When planning your day, it makes a difference whether you want to focus primarily on scenery, a viewpoint or history.
Hiking Between Valleys, Forests and Orchards
The Glazuurwandeling leads through forests and orchards in the Velpe Valley. If you prefer a viewpoint as your destination, the Boeslinterwandeling takes you to the observation tower in the De Paddepoel nature area. The Paddepoel-Velpevalleiwandeling has a different focus: it starts and ends at Sint-Quirinus Church in Bunsbeekdorp, 3380 Bunsbeek, and explores the Velpe Valley and the Rozendaalbeek Valley. The trails offer different landscape themes rather than describing the same destination.
The Heirbaanwandeling also combines nature and history in its own way: it follows paths originally laid out by the Romans, passes through Hulsbos and goes by Kasteel de l'Escaille Attenrode. Natuurpunt Velpe-Mene manages nature areas in both valleys. Together, they cover more than 100 hectares; the stated area may change as the areas continue to develop.
Experience Agriculture, Art and Nature
The Landbouwleerpad is designed for cyclists and hikers and offers insights into the activities of 13 agricultural and horticultural businesses in Glabbeek. Each business has an information board. The route therefore puts local agriculture in the spotlight, while the forest and valley trails reveal other aspects of the landscape.
The ART experience walk, about one kilometre long, is designed for schoolchildren. Ten works of art line the route, each with a QR code; participation in the walk is free. Another work of art, Symbiosis by Wilfried De Cock, is an open-sided little house among Glabbeek's orchards. It represents the close connection between fruit growers, family and nature. Guided donkey walks are available at De Mispelhoef by appointment.
Protected Architectural Heritage and Local Tradition
Sint-Catharina Church and its churchyard are protected monuments. The church in Zuurbemde has a Baroque confessional dating from 1651. Glabbeek-Zuurbemde's village centre and the castle park are also protected as a village landscape. Kasteel de la Coste lies at the edge of the protected Zuurbemde village landscape.
The Zuurbemde estate includes a manor house dating from 1858, surrounded by a nine-hectare landscaped park. These historic places add distinct cultural themes to the routes. Every year, a procession also passes the Heinskensberg Chapel; it is another tradition that marks the year in Glabbeek.
Plan Your Stay and Visit
Glabbeek Wandelt takes place every year on twelve Thursday evenings between April and July. The exact dates vary from one edition to the next; check the dates for the year of your visit if you want to plan your trip around the event. When looking for a hotel in Glabbeek, it helps to decide on your focus first: valley and forest trails, agriculture and orchards, or protected architectural heritage.
Discover more destinations: Wavre, Tervuren, Perwez, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Bekkevoort, Court-Saint-Etienne, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Hoeilaart.
For the broader travel overview: Brabant.
