Herent offers a variety of reasons to stay: landscapes and hiking trails sit alongside cycling routes and historic buildings. A clear plan starts with deciding whether you’d rather hike, go mountain biking or discover cultural monuments. For the routes, specific details about starting points, trail surfaces and lengths can help you choose a focus.
Nature and landscape
The Kastanjebos nature reserve is crossed by the Lipsebeek. The area is home to more than 260 plant species. A marked hiking trail runs through and around Kastanjebos and partly follows a private road. If you plan to take this trail, be sure to take the section on the private road into account.
Mollekensberg is a natural and park area in Herent, characterised by forests, fields, meadows and hayfields. The area can be used for passive recreation, such as walking, cycling and playing. Everyone is welcome to use the fire pit on the hill. The Groene Vallei extends across the wider area around Herent, with wetlands, forests, grassland and open views.
Hiking: trails with different features
Two hiking trails start at Bovenberg. They lead through Grevensbos, Eikenbos and Bertembos, as well as the surrounding meadows and fields. Some sections pass through the municipal area of Bertem. The route description therefore includes both forest sections and open countryside.
The Hollow Roads hiking trail from the hiking guide “Noord-Dijleland” heads towards Herent via Mollekensberg and continues towards Winksele. It follows hollow roads, paved and cobbled paths, as well as field and forest paths. The variety of surfaces gives a clear idea of how varied the trail is.
The Roeselberg hike starts at the De Wildeman community centre on Schoolstraat in Herent. Due to the elevation changes and some narrower field paths, it is not suitable for pushchairs. The Mollekensberg walk offers a different historical connection: it follows the old Roman military road between Leuven and Vilvoorde.
Cycling and mountain biking
Herent is on the Dijlelinie cycling route. For mountain bikers, the Seppe-Odeyn route comprises three loops of different lengths: the green main loop is 33 kilometres long and starts at Sportcentrum Bart Swings. There is also a 7-kilometre blue loop in Winksele and an 18-kilometre red loop in the north of the municipality. The distances make it easy to compare the route lengths, while the location details distinguish the two additional loops geographically.
Culture, mill and beer
The oldest part of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk is its square Romanesque sandstone tower, built in the second half of the 12th century. The church also has a noteworthy Robustelly organ dating from 1770. The tower and organ refer to different periods and each provide their own perspective on local history.
Heersemmolen is the only surviving watermill on the Molenbeek. At Brouwerij Adept, visitors can sample seasonal and experimental beers alongside Adept beers. Local and cultural discoveries therefore range from a historic building to beer-related experiences.
Choose accommodation to suit your plans
The Roeselberg hike starts at De Wildeman, the green Seppe-Odeyn loop at Sportcentrum Bart Swings, and two hiking trails start at Bovenberg. Before choosing your accommodation, check how close your chosen hotel is to the starting point of your planned excursion.
Discover more destinations: Rebecq, Braine-Le-Château, Aarschot, Walhain, Boortmeerbeek, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Geetbets, Villers-La-Ville.
For the overview of the wider region: Brabant.
