Rijmenam: Discover River Landscapes, Cycle Paths and Culture

Rijmenam combines water-shaped landscapes, cycling experiences and remarkable reminders of the area's history. Those looking for a place with a variety of discovery opportunities for a family holiday can combine nature, activity and culture here. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore particularly interesting to consider what you want your days to focus on: a cycling tour along waterways, a child-friendly treasure hunt or exploring historic buildings and local history.

Between the Dijle, Leibeek and Pikhaken

The Pikhakendonkpad runs along the border between Rijmenam and Hever. Its route follows the banks of the Dijle and the Leibeek, making it particularly appealing to travellers who enjoy exploring their surroundings on foot. Pikhaken is located directly opposite Rijmenam's village centre. There are also plans to transform this area into a wetland. These plans include an old branch of the Dijle and several ponds. The landscape character of Pikhaken can therefore be considered both from today's perspective and with a view to this planned development.

Cycling and a child-friendly discovery tour

Rijmenam can be explored by bicycle using the municipal road map and the associated cycling routes. One special option is the cycling route Het poëtisch pad: it combines the experience of nature with six permanently installed poems. This gives a cycling tour a literary touch in addition to the physical activity. Families can also discover Rijmenam on a family-friendly treasure hunt. The child-friendly puzzle trail offers a distinct way to experience the village and is an alternative to a classic sightseeing tour.

When looking for accommodation, you can take these different types of travel into account. If you want to spend as much time as possible cycling, the cycling routes and Het poëtisch pad provide a logical focus for your planning. Another option for a day trip is to combine a treasure hunt, observing the landscape and visiting cultural attractions. Which holiday apartment or holiday home suits your trip depends mainly on whether you want to spend your days in a more active, nature-oriented or culture-oriented way.

Church, chapel and historic boundary marker

The architectural and local history also form part of Rijmenam's character. Sint-Martinuskerk has a pulpit with Renaissance ornaments dating from 1558. The neoclassical Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Onbevlekt van de Sint-Janshei chapel in Rijmenam is a protected monument. The Grote Paal, also a protected monument, stands on the historic boundary between Rijmenam and Keerbergen. This unique 18th-century boundary marker bears the coat of arms of Frans Comeel Gislenus Cuypers, the last lord of Rijmenam.

Kasteel Hollaken lies south of Rijmenam, between the Dijle and the Hollakenbeek. The neoclassical castle dates from around 1832. The Heemmuseum ’t Smiske offers a different perspective on the local past. The museum includes a furnished farmhouse, a restored bread oven, a village shop and a mechanical wooden-shoe workshop dating from 1930. The cultural spectrum thus ranges from individual historic buildings to vivid insights into former village life.

Rijmenam as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

The variety of experiences makes Rijmenam interesting for travellers who do not want to visit just a single attraction. You can flexibly divide your days between riverside paths, cycling routes, treasure hunts and local history. When looking for accommodation, you should therefore first decide which of these experiences are particularly important for your trip. A holiday apartment in Rijmenam is suitable for a plan in which the village itself and its different themes are the main focus. To compare it with other places, you can also look at Boom, Herentals, Kontich, Hulshout, Sint-Amands, Westerlo, Edegem and Brecht.

For the higher-level travel overview: Province of Antwerp.