Discover Glabbeek: Hiking Trails, Valleys and Cultural Heritage

Glabbeek combines varied hiking experiences with protected village views, church art and insights into the agricultural landscape. Those looking for a holiday apartment for a stay focused on nature and culture can choose between paths through valleys and orchards, historical traces and distinctive individual sights. The various excursion opportunities also make it possible to vary your holiday days: active outings on one day, and a focus on architectural and landscape heritage on another.

Hiking trails through valleys, forests and orchards

The Paddepoel-Velpe Valley Walk begins and ends at Sint-Quirinus Church in Bunsbeekdorp, 3380 Bunsbeek. Along the way, it explores the Velpe Valley and the Rozendaalbeek Valley. The Glazuur Walk offers a different perspective on the landscape, leading through forests and orchards in the Velpe Valley. The Boeslinter Walk, by contrast, focuses on the observation tower in the De Paddepoel nature area.

The Heirbaan Walk also combines exercise with history. It follows paths that were laid out by the Romans and leads through Hulsbos and past kasteel de l'Escaille Attenrode. Those who want to take different types of trails into account when planning their trip will find both valley and landscape experiences and a route with a historical connection. When choosing accommodation, you can consider whether nature observation, longer walks or cultural stops should take priority during your stay.

Experience agriculture and nature areas

The Landbouwleerpad is intended for cyclists and walkers and provides insights into the activities of 13 agricultural and horticultural businesses in Glabbeek. Each business has an information board. This makes the area's agricultural character visible not only as a landscape, but also through the activities carried out there.

In the two valleys, Natuurpunt Velpe-Mene is developing managed nature areas that together already cover more than 100 hectares. Guided donkey walks are offered at De Mispelhoef. Another distinctive sight is the artwork Symbiose by Wilfried De Cock: the open shelter lies among Glabbeek's orchards and represents the close connection between fruit growers, family and nature.

Village views, church and art

Sint-Catharina Church and its adjoining churchyard are protected monuments. Sint-Catharina Church in Zuurbemde also has a Baroque confessional dating from 1651. Zuurbemde is a protected village landscape; kasteel de la Coste lies on its outskirts. The centre of Glabbeek-Zuurbemde and the castle park are also protected village landscapes. The Domein Zuurbemde contains a manor house dating from 1858, surrounded by a 9-hectare landscaped park.

An unusual combination of art and exercise is offered by the approximately 1-kilometre-long ART Experience Walk. Along the route, pupils discover ten works of art, each equipped with a QR code. The ART Experience Walk is free of charge. Those interested in public art can include this short format as a separate activity without equating it with the longer routes through the valleys and forests.

Special events and suitable accommodation

Glabbeek Wandelt takes place every year on twelve Thursday evenings between April and July. In addition, a procession passes the Heinskensberg Chapel every year. These recurring events complement the hiking and cultural attractions described above with a glimpse of local traditions.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Glabbeek, the desired way of spending each day is therefore particularly important. Would you like to explore hiking trails, nature areas and orchards, or should protected village views, the church, art and historical traces be the main focus? The attractions mentioned offer various ways to put together a stay. For further destination pages to help with your planning, see Geetbets, Wezembeek-Oppem, Diest, Perwez, Haasrode, Rotselaar, Sint-Genesius-Rode and Wavre.

For the broader travel overview: Brabant.