Source of the castle brook

Just past the ten Bulcke farm, we see a grove of undergrowth in the depths of the meadow on the left. There is the source of the Castle Brook. This stream feeds, among other things, the ponds of Hemsrode Castle and flows further to the Maelbeek. So here we are again in the basin of the Lys.
A little further on, the Petegemstraat turns into a typical hollow road. Centuries of using the same path, on foot or by horse and cart, led to a natural process of erosion. Loosened earth washed away and in this way the road deepened year after year. Many sunken roads are thought to have originated from the Middle Ages. They therefore carry a piece of history and are therefore cultural heritage. Hollow roads sometimes harbor the last remnant of wild nature in the middle of vast fields and serve as a 'stepping stone' between bushes and other pieces of nature in the area. Birds, butterflies, bats and rodents find food and shelter here. Due to their sunken location, there is a microclimate, especially if the verges are wooded. It is windy, shady, humid, cooler in summer and milder in winter.

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