Herne combines clearly described walks with monastic and architectural history, a broad valley and educational activities focused on farm life. You can choose from different priorities when planning your trip: follow a route with a specified length, explore individual cultural heritage details or get a glimpse of life on a farm.
Hiking and Landscape
The “Ontdek de Kloostertuin” hiking route is 5.8 km long and starts at the Dominicanessenklooster in Herne. The monastery is currently used as a community centre, hosting celebrations, meetings, workshops and lectures. Another hike is called “Wandelen in Pajottegem aan de Mark, langs velden, bossen en bruisende beken”. It is about 8 km long and includes several informative stops along the route. The details provide different kinds of guidance when choosing: the first route has a stated length and starting point, while the second also has explanatory stops.
The Aerebeekwandeling passes through the Aerebeek valley in Herne and offers an impression of the green landscape of the Pajottenland. At the start of the walk, the “Herne Markevallei” bus stop is 64 metres away; it is served by bus route 711. Check the timetable before travelling, as route information may change.
The broad Mark valley lies between Herne and Galmaarden. It is a floodplain, or alluvial valley, with grassland edged by trees and shrubs. There are three watermills along the Mark. The rural surroundings of the Kartuizerklooster Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Kapelle site are also described in detail: they include arable fields, pastureland and the Arebeek.
Monastery History and Architectural Heritage
The Kartuizerklooster Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Kapelle was founded in 1314 and is the oldest Carthusian foundation in Belgium. The monastery includes a gatehouse dating from 1716. It contains a small guest quarters, a passageway and an image niche with Saint Bruno; remains of the monastery wall are also present. The Sint-Pieter parish church, also known as the Sint-Petrus en Sint-Paulus parish church, is a protected monument.
The Boesmolen offers another architectural detail: its side wall on the waterside has an old sandstone base. Details like these offer a different perspective from the monastery’s founding or the parish church’s protected status, giving you several specific points of interest when exploring the built heritage.
Landscape Cubes in the Pajottenland
The landscape cubes of Herne blend harmoniously into their surroundings and offer characteristic views of the hilly Pajottenland in every season. The first Herne landscape cube, made of Orgeon, stands on the protected cultural heritage site of the historic Kartuizerklooster, beside a walking trail. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the centre of Herne. The seasonal views across the hills and the panorama of the town centre each offer a different perspective on the landscape.
A Glimpse of Farm Life
Op 't Hof has an educational area on a farm. Visitors can learn about farm life and experience it hands-on. School and group visits are possible by arrangement. Visitors can also sample Black Angus beef from the farm’s own cattle at Op 't Hof. The offering thus combines learning about everyday life on the farm with a tasting explicitly associated with this business.
Discover more destinations: Haasrode, Zoutleeuw, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Ittre, Asse, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Tielt-Winge, Zaventem
For the overview of the wider region: Brabant.
