In Walhain, a circular trail leads to the geographical centre of Belgium. The Centre Géographique de la Belgique is located at Le Tiège in the Nil valley. Together with historic paths, a windmill, churches and archaeological sites, it offers several starting points for planning a stay around your own interests.
Circular trails with different focuses
The Promenade sur les sentiers de Nil follows a route around the Nil and takes in sights in Nil-Saint-Martin and Nil-Saint-Vincent. It visits the geographical centre of Belgium and follows historic paths. Those who choose their route based on its destinations and places will find a combination of local sights and a prominent geographical landmark here.
The Grand Tour of Walhain is a rural, gently undulating circular trail through the three villages of the municipality of Walhain. Stops along the way include the tumuli of Libersart, the Moulin du Tiège and the Centre Géographique de la Belgique. A detour leads to the old Château de Walhain. Unlike the trail around the Nil, this route focuses on the whole municipality and connects several heritage sites.
Another option is the Promenade entre Walhain et Saint-Paul. It takes in sights in Walhain and Saint-Paul via former paths that are now used as connecting routes. This lets you choose your walk based on the places you would like to focus on.
Mill and churches: local architectural history
The Moulin du Tiège was built by the Thienpont family in 1834 and has been listed as a historic monument since 1946. The Église Notre-Dame in Walhain dates from 1896 and was built in the Gothic Revival style. These two places add different chapters of architectural history to the trail themes: the history of a windmill and that of a church building.
The furnishings of the Église Notre-Dame also reflect earlier periods. The church contains a 16th-century crucifix, as well as a remarkable organ by F. Coppin dating from 1750. Both furnishings predate the church’s construction in 1896. Those interested in heritage can therefore consider the building and its furnishings as different aspects of local history.
Archaeological traces and smaller heritage sites
The tumuli of Libersart are part of the Grand Tour of Walhain. They bear witness to the presence of a vicus in Tourinnes-Saint-Lambert in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. This adds an archaeological point of interest to the architectural history. The Chapelle Notre-Dame des Trois Tilleuls is located near the hamlet of Lérinnes in the present-day municipality of Walhain. Around 1920, Charles Hanquet built it on the site of an original chapel.
Access to the Château de Walhain is by request to the Office du Tourisme de Walhain. If you plan to make the detour, check the arrangements with the office before your visit. This ensures that this stop remains subject to its stated access requirement.
Maps and routes for planning
The Office du Tourisme de Walhain provides maps and circular routes for walks and cycling trips. Before planning your visit, check which maps and routes are currently available. The different trails can be compared based on their described destinations and focuses; the Moulin du Tiège, the geographical centre and the churches each highlight different aspects of Walhain’s history.
Walhain therefore offers several specific themes to help you choose a visiting itinerary: historic paths around the Nil, a rural circular trail through the three villages, architectural history and archaeological sites. You can decide which to combine based on whether you would rather focus on the paths, the monuments or the different historical periods.
Discover more destinations: Mont-Saint-Guibert, Bomal, Lubbeek, Boortmeerbeek, Chastre, Merchtem, Helecine, Grez-Doiceau.
For the broader travel overview: Brabant.
