Discover Hoeilaart: Grape Culture and Forest Landscapes

Hoeilaart combines the history of viticulture under glass with the impressive forest landscape surrounding the Sonian Forest. If you are planning a trip, you can choose between culture, signposted trails, historic remnants and unique insights into the region’s grape-growing tradition.

Grape culture as a defining theme

The cultivation of table grapes under glass began in Hoeilaart in 1865. That year, Felix Sohie built the town’s first grape greenhouse. Flemish Brabant table grapes are entitled to bear the European protected designation of origin quality label. The Druivenserres Kelleveld, with nine historic grape greenhouses, offer an impression of this tradition. They are maintained by target-group employees of the non-profit organisation vzw 3Wplus.

The former Groenendaal–Overijse tram line is also part of the history of the Druivenstreek. It symbolised the region’s heyday and transported thousands of passengers as well as millions of kilograms of grapes and raw materials. Advance registration is required for group visits to Druiven Mia Michiels.

Forest trails for different day plans

Hoeilaart is part of Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden, which brings together Hallerbos, Zoniënwoud and Meerdaalwoud. In Zoniënwoud, the trail network includes three routes that you can follow using a map. Natuurloop Zoniënwoud offers two permanently signposted running circuits that start and finish at the Bosmuseum Jan van Ruusbroec in Hoeilaart: the green circuit is 6 kilometres long, while the blue circuit is 11.7 kilometres long.

For a shorter thematic walk, the 2.3-kilometre Jan van Ruusbroecpad is suitable. It starts at the Bosmuseum Jan van Ruusbroec in Groenendaal and leads to key places in the life of Jan van Ruusbroec, with eleven information panels in four languages. The 6.6-kilometre, signposted Groenendaalwandeling starts at the Bosmuseum Jan van Ruusbroec in Hoeilaart and passes through the Arboretum Groenendaal, with around 400 native and foreign tree species. Along Nero's Natuurleerpad, panels also explain the flora and fauna, history and ecological management of Jan-van-Ruusbroec-Park.

History around Groenendaal

The Bosmuseum Jan van Ruusbroec is housed in a historic farmstead belonging to the former Priorij van Groenendaal. Maquettes, maps, scale models and natural history collections convey knowledge about fauna, flora and forest management. The Spanish Hall also explores the history of the forest and its abbeys. Group visits are possible daily by appointment.

The Priorijhoeve farmhouse with bakery comprises an originally semi-enclosed quadrangular farm complex made of brick and natural stone, built around 1778 to a design by Guillaume De Brucq in place of older farm buildings. The underground remnants of the Priorij van Groenendaal include the covered-over IJse and adjoining cellars. The surviving monastery church is a significant remnant of one of three Windesheim monasteries in Zoniënwoud.

Further historical impressions are provided by the Kapel Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Willerieken, built in 1864 to a design by Bastin as a replacement for a centuries-old chapel, as well as the Koninklijke Loge and the remains of the Bookmakerslokaal. They are the only surviving remnants of the former Hippodroom van Groenendaal, whose former grounds still appear today as an open area on the edge of Zoniënwoud. In the town centre, there is also a 15th-century castle that now houses the town hall.

Choose the right accommodation for your plans

When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Hoeilaart, it helps to make a thematic choice in advance. Would you like to include the castle in the town centre in your plans, are the forest trails and the Bosmuseum your main focus, or are you primarily interested in the history of the grape greenhouses? Compare the specific location details of the accommodation with your desired destinations. This allows you to base your choice on the experiences you want to define your trip, without reducing the town to just one theme.

Discover more destinations

For further travel planning, you can also visit Evere, Overijse, Boortmeerbeek, Ramillies, Bierbeek, Beauvechain, Nivelles and Londerzeel.

To the higher-level travel overview: Brabant.