Plus, great places to stay… Looking for that summer holiday vibe close to home? The Hageland vineyards are beckoning. Drink in the generous views of lush grapevines on stately hillside rows. With the grapes nearly ripe for the picking, the region is bursting with great stuff to see and do. After your walk, join Sprankelend Hageland and taste, explore, and celebrate. Reasons aplenty for a long summer weekend, right? Here are our five walking tips.
1. The Wijngaardberg Walk
1.1. The walk
Head out from the heart of the wine village of Wezemaal for a 7.3 km tour of the Wijngaardberg, an enchantingly beautiful vineyard landscape and a nature reserve with singular views.
1. 2. Highlights
Discover all the colours, scents, and flavours of the wine region at the Hageland Wine Visitor Centre. The De Hagelander statue invites you to climb the Wijngaardberg, where the tough ironstone vineyard wall shields the grapes from chilly northerly winds. Back in the valley, the stately old Norbertine presbytery awaits. Did you spot the graft from the world’s oldest vine in the vineyard?
1.3. Your stay
The ’t Kareelbos holiday home is a ten-minute jaunt from Wezemaal centre and the Wijngaardberg. It can accommodate up to sixteen, so why not bring the whole family along?
1. 4. Out and about
This walk begins and ends at the Hageland Wine Visitor Centre on Kerkstraat 16 in Wezemaal. Follow the nodes 6 – 604 – 62 – 63 – 65 – 74 – 64 – 61 – 605 – 6.
2. The Houwaartseberg Walk
2.1. The walk
Houwaart church is where your climb up the Houwaartseberg starts. The ‘mountain’ is crowded with vineyards soaking up the sun. What does crowded mean? De Houwaartse Vineyard, Den Eeckhout Vineyard, Het Eiken Vat Vineyard, Steenkuyl-Wijnfaktorij Vineyard, Hagelander Vineyard, Sint-Denijs Vineyard, Ten Gaerde Vineyard are all there…but we may have missed a few. The walk is 9.4 km long.
2. 2. Highlights
Clamber onto the Wijnbank for a majestic view of the sprawling vineyard tapestry below. Just a few kilometres further, and you’ve arrived at the magnificent Horst Castle. This cross-shaped keep, reflected in the waters below, has stalwartly kept watch over Wingebeek Valley since the 15th century.
2. 3. Your stay
Welcome to three comfortably furnished cottages and one larger flat in a restored farmhouse surrounded by the fields and forests of the Hageland.
2. 4. Out and about
Begin and end your walk at Sint-Denijskerk, Haldertstraat, in Houwaart. Just follow the nodes 229 – 246 – 228 – 227 – 226 – 225 – 155 – 154 – 153 – 152 – 151 – 144 – 228 – 246 – 229.
3. The From Hill to Hill Walk
3.1. The walk
A 10.7-km journey takes you over the Houwaartse Berg and through the beautiful Walen Forest. Artisan pride has been passed down from father to daughter at Liemau Vineyard, and Danouise Vineyard has been a reference since 1994.
3.2. Highlights
Enjoy a bit of forest bathing in the Walen Forest, a marshland treasure scattered with peat mosses and orchids. Just don’t forget your wellies!
3.3. Your stay
Provençal, contemporary, or country? At B&B Silentium, it’s up to you! It’s always blissfully quiet on the edge of the Walen Forest. Or…you could park your motorhome at the Danouise Vineyard, a gorgeous, original location.
3.4. Out and about
Start and end your journey at the Church of Our Lady car park on Bergstraat in Tielt-Winge. Follow the nodes 2 – 22 – 23 – 243 – 241 – 242 – 231 – 229 – 230 – 226 – 225 – 157 – 222 – 221 – 21 – 2 or the red-print rectangular signs.
4. The Chartreuzenberg Walk
4.1. The walk
This walk (6.9 km) takes you through the dreamy sunken roads of the Chartreuzen Forest and up the slopes of the Chartreuzenberg. These slopes nourish the ripening grapes of the Chartreuzenberg Vineyard, which is 60 acres large with 1,200 vines.
4.2. Highlights
A huge sun gate welcomes you to the natural oasis Chartreu-ZEN Forest, where you can leave your worries behind. There’s a yoga platform and a labyrinth with large chunks of ironstone for walls… There’s even a wooden bed with a pillow and all.
4.3. Your stay
Fun, hands-on kits, an extendible table, and astonishing stories! The Hageland Holiday Home farmhouse is family and kid friendly.
4.4. Out and about
Begin and end your walk at Sint-Mauruskerk, Gebroeders Van Tiltstraat in Holsbeek. Follow the nodes 1 – 12 – 19 – 18 – 111 – 112 – 171 – 17 – 11 – 1 or the red-print rectangular signs.
5. The Speelberg Walk
5.1. The walk
12 km of adventure await with an eclectic landscape and fantastic vistas of the Linden Forest, Chartreuzen Forest, and their surroundings. But the prettiest spot of all? That’s the Vandeurzen Wine Estate of Linden Castle.
5.2. Highlights
Hmm… The Linden Forest play areas or the Chartreuzen Forest’s green oasis? You get the best of both worlds on this walk.
5.3. Your stay
A handsome white villa at the top of Speelberg, Linden’s highest point. Say yes to the grand garden, two large rooms, and Leuven within cycling distance.
5.4. Out and about
Your journey begins and ends at Sint-Kwintenkerk, Martelarenplaats 1 in Linden. Follow the nodes: 5 – 51 – 53 – 55 – 56 – 47 – 19 – 18 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 57 – 52 – 5 or the red-print rectangular signs.
