Asse: Roman history, hiking trails and hop-growing culture

Asse brings culture, activity and landscape together within a compact thematic area. Here, you can learn about Roman history, follow a small art route through the town centre, choose from signposted walks or discover the area's hop-growing tradition. When looking for a suitable holiday apartment, it is therefore worth first deciding on your preferred travel rhythm: should the trip focus primarily on Marktplein and culture, or are longer walks, woodland and nature observations the main priority?

Roman traces and living local history

A good place to start is the Erfgoedmuseum Asse. It presents the Roman history of Asse and the history of the former Oud Gasthuis; admission is free. The Oud Gasthuis was originally a lodging house for passers-by. Today, it is a U-shaped building complex with an inner courtyard. A visit therefore provides not only historical information, but also a tangible impression of the site's architectural history.

The Sint-Martinuskerk is also part of the cultural orientation, a significant Gothic building made of sandstone from the region. Restoration work on its stained-glass windows was completed in 2017 after 24 years. On the Markt of Asse stands the bronze Hopduvel statue, which represents the local hop folklore. The Hopduvelfeesten take place in Asse every two years and give this tradition a recurring place in local life.

The Marktplein is lined with imposing townhouses and already existed in the early Middle Ages. Those who enjoy combining culture with activity can also plan Tour Surprise there: the open-air art route leads through Asse and displays small artistic paintings in surprising locations. The route is approximately 3.5 km long and passes through the centre of Asse. Another permanent attraction is the Educatief Wandelpad Archeologie.

Walks with different focuses

Asse has 10 signposted walks. Each route comes with an overview of the sights along the way. This allows you to decide before setting out whether you would prefer to take in historical sites, landscapes or a particular distance. The Vlietbronnenwandeling is 8.5 km long and starts at Asse railway station. This information is especially useful if you want to plan your day around a clearly named starting point.

The Putberg circular walk is 4.7 km long. You can follow the signposts, the ErfgoedApp or a printed brochure. Along the loop there are benches, picnic tables and information boards; a bridge also crosses the Broekebeek. For a trip involving different interests, this route therefore provides concrete points of reference for planning a shared activity.

Historical destinations can also be combined with an exploration on foot. The former watermill of Asbeek was a grain mill and was called Onderste Watermolen. The weir, as well as the distribution and sluice structures, have been preserved. A historic pilgrimage to the Kruisborrekapel began with a prayer at the chapel; afterwards, the pilgrims descended the stairs to the spring below.

Woodland, ponds and hop-growing landscapes

Kartelobos, also popularly known as Kettelobos, covers 12 hectares and is the largest woodland in the municipality of Asse. It is an old deciduous forest consisting mainly of beech, English oak, ash, alder and willow. The Rietveld covers approximately one hectare and provides suitable breeding grounds for migratory birds such as reed warblers, sedge warblers and reed buntings.

The landscape around the Kruisborre-Ommegang offers wide views as well as field paths along meadows, woodland and orchards in the valley of the Nieuwermolenbeek. In the Kruisborrevallei, a former weekend pond was transformed into a species-rich pond area. It provides additional habitat for amphibians, insects and plants. In the Waalborrepark, a park was created at the beginning of the 20th century around a villa built by Karel Alexander de Vis in a castle-like style. There are 123 exotic tree species there, 24 of which are protected as monuments.

You will encounter hop-growing culture not only at the Hopduvel statue. At the Hopveld met kunstwerk, you can walk among the hop plants and feel and smell the hops. The site includes six sculptures among the hop vines, as well as a walking path featuring proverbs and sayings from old herb books. For a longer cycling tour, the 37 km Hoproute passes hop fields in Affligem, Asse and Opwijk. Since October 2023, the Asphaltcosite site has also had a bike park with a technical course and various obstacles for mountain bikes and BMX bikes.

Choose your accommodation according to your preferred daily rhythm

A holiday apartment in Asse can serve as a base for very different kinds of holiday days. If you prefer culture and short discoveries, the Marktplein, hop folklore, Tour Surprise and the Erfgoedmuseum take centre stage. For longer excursions, the 8.5 km Vlietbronnenwandeling, the 4.7 km Putberg circular walk or the 37 km Hoproute provide concrete parameters for planning. Families and other travel groups can therefore consider before booking whether they would like to focus on local history, activity, nature or a combination of these.

You can find more destinations for planning your trip here: Beersel, Dilbeek, Wezembeek-Oppem, Wijgmaal, Zaventem, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Keerbergen and Diest.

For the higher-level travel overview: Brabant.