Discover Steenokkerzeel

Steenokkerzeel combines unusual aviation experiences with hiking trails, historic buildings and rural impressions. Anyone wishing to plan a trip with varied daily activities will find inspiration here for aircraft photography, walks, culture and regional products. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether hiking, historic sites or the unique atmosphere around the runways should be the main focus.

Watch planes from close up

A striking experience is the 25L Spotters’ Platform. It can be reached from the car park in about seven minutes on foot. From there, it offers an impressive view of the runways; the platform is suitable for aircraft photography, while the planes fly almost directly overhead.

The Vliegtuigspottersroute leads to vantage points near the extended runways. There, planes can be observed from close up. The route also offers views of the Floordambos. This makes it possible to combine a day centred around aviation with time spent in the countryside, without all travellers having to share the same interests.

Hiking trails with different points of focus

There are several separate options for walks. The Nutteloze Borden walking route is available year-round and can be walked at any time. The Ter-Ham Walk and the Meldebroek Walk are fully signposted with themed signs rather than walking-node markers. This information is useful when planning your day if you prefer a signposted route to a walking-node route.

The Ter-Ham Walk leads through the charming linear village of Steenokkerzeel, past historic buildings, quiet country lanes and green paths. The Bosakker Walk begins at Kasteel ter Ham, a renovated moated castle from the 15th century, and then alternates between woodland and open fields with wide views. The Pittoreske-Perk Walk offers a different focus: it leads through Sint-Jannekensstraat, with its beautiful houses from the 17th century.

Castles, churches and distinctive village scenes

Kasteel van Ham is a moated castle built from local sandstone, with four corner towers. It was constructed between 1490 and 1505. De Vleug, also known as Duifhuis, was restored in the early 2000s and was probably built between 1495 and 1508 as a lookout post for the “Ter Ham” castle. Anyone interested in the historical development of the area can also explore the history of Sint-Martinuskerk in Melsbroek: it dates back to the 12th century and was originally built in the Romanesque style.

The village centre of Humelgem is dominated by the magnificently restored Romanesque Sint-Katarinakerk. Beside Sint-Martinuskerk in Melsbroek stands the former chaplain’s house, which Gisberte de Locquenghien, Baroness of Melsbroek, had built between 1717 and 1720. The Steenokkerzeel carillon comprises 49 bells, including 28 historic bells. The private Domein van Perk, with 90 hectares of meadows, woodland, other areas and ponds, is a nature and bird reserve. The grounds and the castle can be seen from the surrounding roads and walking paths.

Local products and special experiences

Soil-grown chicory is part of the region’s distinctive character. During the season from October to April, locally produced soil-grown chicory is available from local retailers in Steenokkerzeel. Today, grape varieties such as Pinot noir, Solaris, Cabernet blanc and Johanniter grow at Wijndomein Landakkershof. The history of the “Suprême de Perck” apple variety also leads back to the surrounding area: it was rediscovered and cultivated in Perk, thereby returning to its region of origin.

Another option for a shared outing is Paard & Kar, which offers introductions to horse-drawn carriage driving for young and old. Carriage rides are also offered there for birthday celebrations. When choosing your accommodation and planning your days, you can therefore weigh up active trails, historic discoveries, plane spotting and quieter regional experiences.

More local pages

If you would like to compare more destinations, you can also visit Ternat, Wezembeek-Oppem, Linter, Tervuren, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Ottignies-Louvain-La-Neuve, Asse and Kampenhout.

For the higher-level travel overview: Brabant.