Ternat: Water Castle, Mills and Trails

Ternat combines distinctive architectural history with trails that offer different ways to get around. A water castle with a moat, a water-powered grain mill dating from 1572 and a protected landscape provide tangible points of reference for the town’s history. At the same time, routes lead through Ternat and the Kouterbroeken nature reserve. When planning your holiday rental, you can consider whether you would rather devote your days to historic buildings, hiking or other outdoor activities.

Water castle, protected landscape and historic buildings

Kasteel Kruikenburg was the seat of the Lordship of Kruikenburg. This water castle has three wings arranged in an almost U-shaped layout around a courtyard, which is surrounded by a wide moat. The castle’s architecture and its protected surroundings form a connected whole: the avenue linking Kasteel Kruikenburg with Sint-Gertrudiskerk is also part of the protected landscape. Anyone interested in architecture and its setting will find more here than a single historic point of reference.

Kasteel De Mot, the former town hall, offers a different perspective. It is a former castle, once surrounded by water and built in the traditional brick-and-sandstone style. It is classified as a protected monument under the Royal Decree of 5 March 1958. The building’s history can also be traced through the changing function and architectural character.

The Klapscheutmolen adds the history of milling to these historic themes. It is a water-powered grain mill dating from 1572. The protected ensemble includes the mill building, milling machinery, millpond, water-distribution structure and millrace. The ensemble was protected as a village scene on 10 June 1992; individual components were also listed on 9 July 1996. These dates and features give the mill a specific place in Ternat’s history, without reducing it to its age alone.

Ternat railway station is another example of the town’s architectural history. It belongs to a type of railway station from the mid-19th century, designed by architect J.P. Cluysenaer for the Dender/Waas railway line. The brick building has a stepped layout and a prominent tower dating from 1856. The mill, the two castles and the station each offer a different focus: from the water castle and former castle to buildings associated with milling and railway history.

Hiking, cycling and jogging in Ternat

The available information on trails varies in terms of distance and use. The Kastelenwandeling is 8.8 kilometres long and starts at the sports centre. It is a specific option if you want to factor a stated distance into your plans for a day’s hike. Route details may change, so check the latest information before setting out.

The GEN-Tracé offers a different approach: you can cycle, hike or jog along it. The route follows the Brussels–Ghent railway line and passes through Ternat. If you want to consider different activities rather than just one hiking route, you can take this difference into account when planning. The Pol De Montwandeling passes through the Kouterbroeken nature reserve, adding another landscape-focused option. This means your travel plans can include both a named hiking trail with a stated distance and routes offering different activities or a connection to nature.

These interests can help guide your choice of holiday rental in Ternat: consider which of the buildings or trails described you would like to prioritise during your stay. You can think of the historic themes separately from the activities on the routes, without limiting yourself to just one way of exploring. If you are planning with travel companions, it may be helpful to discuss in advance whether architectural history, hiking, cycling or jogging is especially important for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Wambeek, Bierbeek, Machelen, Walhain, Braine-Le-Château, Hoeilaart, Affligem, Boortmeerbeek.

See the broader travel overview: Brabant.