Roosdaal: Culture, Landscapes and Trails in the Pajottenland

Roosdaal combines remarkable buildings with rolling landscapes, regional products and trails for active exploration. Those looking to plan a trip with culture, walks and cycling tours will find a variety of experiences here: historic churches and a mill stand alongside landscapes, viewpoints and routes through the Pajottenland.

Cultural Monuments with Their Own Character

One particular landmark is the Hertboommolen, an 18th-century grain mill with possibly older elements. It is built as a wooden post mill with an open lower structure. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Church in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Lombeek is also one of the area’s defining cultural sites. The church is protected as a monument and was designed as an Early Gothic basilica. Its three-aisled nave was built in the 13th century, while the north portal dates from the 14th century. The Maria retable of the O.L.V.-kerk van O.L.V.-Lombeek is considered unique of its kind.

Other ecclesiastical buildings add different architectural accents. The Sint-Gaugericuskerk is a neo-Gothic cruciform basilica dating from 1903. The Sint-Martinuskerk in Strijtem attracts visitors with its stained-glass windows and wall drawings. Het Koetshuis was once the actual coach house of Strijtem Castle and should therefore be understood as a historic part of the site. Two poetry columns stand beside the Chapel of the Zeven Beuken. The Chapel of Saint Apollonia lies along the Ledebergwandeling and serves as a parish church.

Landscape between Views and Activity

The landscape also gives the trip different directions. The Neigem and Berchembos woodland lies on a ridge running from southwest to northeast, which also forms the watershed between the Dender and Zenne basins. The landscape “Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Lombeek with the valleys of the Berchembos and Hunselbeek” is an anchor site of Flemish significance. It includes parts of Roosdaal, including Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Lombeek, Strijtem and Pamel, as well as areas in Lennik, Gooik and Ninove.

For an active day out, the “De Schakel” mountain bike route is a good option. It is 43 kilometres long and runs through the rolling landscape of the Pajottenland. The route includes paved and unpaved sections, so you can take this surface variation into account when choosing your cycling tour. Those who prefer to travel on foot can choose between different focuses: the Dikke van Pamel walk passes the De Turfput nature reserve, while the Ledebergwandeling leads to Roosdaal’s highest point, the Kluisberg.

On the banks of the Dender in the village of Pamel stands the Dikke van Pamel monument. The figure depicts Victor De Klerck, who lived in the 19th century and is said to have weighed up to 300 kilograms. Another destination for views across the landscape is the bunker site in Pamel, which offers a panoramic view of the wider surroundings. One of the bunkers was opened by the municipal administration in 2002.

Discover Regional Specialities

Roosdaal’s local character also includes products from the Pajottenland. Brokantie’s ReFined offers regional products, including gift baskets, gins and preserves made by local craft producers. Discoveries like these complement a day spent moving between architecture, landscape and activity.

When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first decide what kind of holiday you prefer. Those interested in culture can plan their days around churches, the mill, historic buildings and special details such as the Maria retable or the poetry columns. For longer excursions, the 43 kilometres of “De Schakel” and the walking routes described above take centre stage. Those travelling with different interests can vary their days without limiting the trip to just one type of experience.

For further travel planning, you can also compare Ramillies, Lasne, Boutersem, Walhain, Zaventem, Perwez, Tielt-Winge and Bertem.

For the broader travel overview: Brabant.