The Best of Bonheiden

Appointment at the spacious Kerkplein (V) of Bonheiden (no P-disc needed behind the church). You walk northwest into the Zellaerstraat. After crossing two intersections, it turns into the beautiful Zellaerdreef. First you come to the left at the Blijdenberghoeve, an old Kempen farm where you can buy farm products or an ice cream. Then on the right follows the Priory of Bethlehem, a monastic community of Benedictines in contemporary buildings. At the end of the drive, turn right into the Oude Baan. In the corner you get to see the Zellaerkasteel 1 among the greenery. Now meeting center and just like the estate private property. This neo-Gothic building (late 19th century) with castle allures and ring moat was built in white sandstone from demolished forts in Vilvoorde. You walk past the main entrance. Further to the left, a strange Moorish-style baking oven is languishing. Then cross the Chaussée de Wavre, always following the Oude Baan. At three garage doors turn right into the Uyerenboslaan, straight to the Castle of Berentrode. Scenically, this is still a wonderful part of Zuiderkempen. Even though in the unbridled years farmhouses, villas and second homes have been scattered everywhere, from Bonheiden to Keerbergen. The hunting lodge Berentrode 2 is, according to the charters, the historical place where Bonheiden originated in the Middle Ages. After many renovations over the centuries, only an amalgam of three different housing units remains today, a piece of controversial patrimony for years. Only the thick lower walls of the middle part still bear witness to the old glory. Continue straight onto Kleinhoflaan. At the fork, keep to the right. This is how you get back on concrete: you swing to the left. At the end of the Pelgrimstraat you zigzag left-right into the Bremlei. On the T to the right: the Peulisbaan. Beyond the reception centre for special youth care, Ter Heide. Cross a crossroads, cobblestones underfoot, pine scent in the nose and here and there some heather on the left. Where the Beulslaan collides with a small roundabout, choose the Oude Schrieksebaan on the right and then immediately left the Spiekelei. You arrive at the Rijmenamseweg, which you cross via the zebra crossing. Then step into De Bergen. As flat as what, that street, but what villas. Ignore the side branches, continue straight ahead and follow De Bergen until it turns into the Boeimeerstraat. Again, straight ahead. But perhaps you can first walk left into Cassenbroek to admire the restored Hottentothoeve 3 with the imposing long barn from the 18th century. Then you come to the large riding school Vijverstein, with a cafeteria where hikers are also welcome. Keep right past the bridge over the Boeimeerbeek. Quite abruptly, all habitation disappears and you end up in the beautiful, open nature reserve of Mispeldonk, for the most part owned by Natuurpunt. A lonely stable, but otherwise only hay and pasture, streams and ditches. This fascinating landscape originated about 10,000 years ago from a large cut-off river meander, predecessor of Demer and Dijle. Scottish galloway cattle ensure the preservation of the biotopes. Those grazers, which Natuurpunt uses everywhere in Flanders, have their winter base here. You end up at the historic Mispeldonkhoeve 4, now completely converted into a family home in farm style. Here you turn to the right twice, first before the fence and then before the grove. On the way back, ignore the left fork at the bank, walk straight until you cross the Boeimeerbeek again. Then immediately turn left on the walking path of Natuurpunt (green window). That walk goes first along the stream and then through a grove. Follow the green window to the Hondshoek (no street sign). At house number 32 you turn left towards the Schoolstraat, which guides you right to the terminus.