If you are in Belgium and looking for an elegant landscape with marvelous scenic beauty, authentic castle, unique architecture, and luscious wine then Hageland is a perfect place for you. It’s like the whole of Belgium in one place. If you are looking for some genuine peace and solitude, It’s heartily recommended to spend time walking through Hageland.
Know more!
The village is believed to have existed since the 9th century, while the earliest official mention of it dates back to 1096, The name “Hageland” refers to land with dense forest and undergrowth, although much of the area is now under agriculture.
To reach at the Tower :Oudepastoriestraat 22, 3390 Tielt-Winge
View the amazing sites here:
- Vlooyberg Tower
Vlooyberg Tower is a great example of unique and innovative architecture in the land of Belgium. It’s a hybrid between a tower and a staircase, it stands over 11 meters high and extends over 20 meters. Moreover, it’s like a stairway to heaven. Starting from the ground to further its height it floats in the air because it doesn’t have any vertical struts or supports. The structure is constructed of galvanized steel in the red-brown color of the ironstone in the surrounding Hageland region. This place is popular, the view from the top is beautiful, a great spot to stop for the sunset and enjoy the moment. During summer time you can see air balloons flying around and it adds romance to this place. If you’re into art expression then it’s worth the search for the road that takes you there.
- Two Demer Valley walks
Demer Valley is a beautiful place to take the romantic strolls with charming views loved by one and all.
You need to choose from these two Demer Valley walks. A shorter 8k one or a longer 25k hike which takes a look at the famous basilica in Scherpenheuvel. The main one is a 25 km hike from Langdorp through Testelt to Scherpenheuvel and back. A shorter, family-friendly 8 km walk starts at the Testelt railway station and heads back to Langdorp station. The route starts from the Demertrefplaats. There are five of these along the River Demer. At the Langdorp Demertrefplaats, there’s a picnic table with a difference. It’s a meandering table of no less than 35 meters long. You can even light up your own barbecue. The farther path will lead you to wooded areas where you can just wait for a moment, close your eyes and hear the birds singing. The route will head you to civilization to its major highlight of The Basilica Of Our Lady Of Scherpenheuvel. It’s really a delightful country walk with great views over the fertile valley floor.
- A circular walk around Sint-Pieters-Rode
to Reach
Are you getting bored on Sunday afternoon? Then why not take a walk in the charming woods and in a variety of fields. Just to add a zest in your boring evenings you can have a circular walk in Sint Pieters Rode. Sint-Pieters-Rode is one of the oldest villages in Hageland. The walk starts at the local church. Then it’s time to follow the route through the fields and into the woods. If you are with children, this route is a great place to bring them. There is a lot of space to run around, kick a ball, fly a kite, and enjoy. The path leads to the castle Horst which is really worth a visit continuing to your circular walk, now it’s time to discover St. Joseph’s Chapel, which was built in the 19th century on a hill overlooking the village. The hill has an interesting history. It used to be the site of the local gallows with few ghostly stories. So what are you waiting for? The whole area around Sint-Pieters-Rode is well worth exploring.
- Horst Castle
Address to reach
Horst Castle lies in the heart of Hageland. It was built on a strategic spot in the Winge-valley and was one of the strengths protecting the nearby city of Leuven which was the largest and most important city in the Duchy of Brabant. Today the castle is empty though it’s worth visiting as it’s a bewilderingly authentic Castle that has been untouched for 300 years. During the visit, you can walk through its halls and climb the keep all the way to the top through a narrow staircase wall. There is an extensive area of woodland, meadows, streams, and marshes, and is crisscrossed with plenty of well-signposted footpaths. The walls and stairways of the Castle have interesting tales to tell you you may have an unforgettable experience in this exceptionally authentic Castle.
- Smell The Flowers
If you are visiting Hageland in summers then it’s like adding the paprika to your pizza! Summers are usually the blooming period for the wild flowers in the forest areas. Here you can wait a moment and take time to gaze at the beauty of nature and flow in the enduring scent of the flowers and take time to photograph them. Even you can take time to get up close and personal with some of the creeping creatures you might come across. Wild flowers here are unique to admire the shapes and colours. The path is full of picnic spots where you can have some tasty snacks sitting under the shade of trees and enjoy your day. This 5 km or 9 km walk in the Hageland Valley is a lot of fun, no matter how old you are. Spending time with nature is always the best time.
How can your tour be completed without mouth-watering wines!
Some of the best Belgian wine is found less than an hour from Brussels in Flemish Brabant’s Hageland region. The Wijngaardberg walk in Wezemaal is a family-friendly walk with some great views. Wijngaardberg is literally a vineyard mountain. It’s not exactly a mountain
though there are some of the interesting climbs. The whole route is 7.5 km, it’s a lovely walk through fields and woodland, alongside and even through vineyards and fruit orchards. The path will lead you to the wine wall which is roughly 2 metres high and made of sandstone and protects the delicate vines from the north wind. Then you will be served with qualified Belgian wine. Your walk also includes the visit to Monumental Sculpture of the Sacred Heart and Parsonage. Cycling or walking in the hill of vineyards, sitting between the orchards of apple and grape and enjoying the scenic beauty with tempting wine, you can experience Belgium at its fullest.
So Cheers!
