The valley of the Great Molenbeek is for many one of the most beautiful, almost undiscovered natural gems in Flemish Brabant.

Text and photo Eddy Vlyminck

The source of the Great Molenbeek is located in Kobbegem, near the Mort-Subite factory where an excellent artisanal geuze is produced. It then flows through Mollem and Merchtem, heading further north towards the Schelde. During this walk, we explore the route of the Molenbeek between Merchtem and Mollem. A vigorous walk featuring alternating expansive views over the Brabant meadows and hidden pieces of nature along the meandering Molenbeek. Old watermills, either preserved completely or partially, are among the most idyllic spots on our hiking route. We primarily make use of the walking nodes of the Flemish Brabant walking network.

Pasar 2021/6 - Last route check 2021/4

The route

Start at the Our Lady of Refuge Church in Merchtem (V). Public transport: bus lines 821 or 245. At the back of the church, opposite the old town hall, you'll find the monument 'Paardenwater' and WKP 4. Walk towards WKP 406. Follow Reedijk to the Lactovitaplein (monument with cow) where you take footpath 57. This small path next to the cow leads you immediately to the Great Molenbeek. Follow the Great Molenbeek downstream to the Langeveldmolen (1). Follow WKP 406 to the intersection with Terlinden. Here, continue straight, Breestraeten. You can also reach WKP 406 from here. Turn left here, passing the chapel of St. Rochus. Ignore the side road to the left. Take the next side street on the right, towards WKP 412. Turn right to WKP 411. At a concrete road with some signs indicating GR, turn left. You walk past a beautiful farmhouse to WKP 411. Turn right, past the chapel (2), towards WKP 410. Be careful when crossing the busy Wolvertemsesteenweg. Walk in Kleistraat to house number 40. Turn left, footpath 82. At the end, turn right, Linthoutstraat. Immediately after house number 25, turn right, Driesenweg. Soon you will be back on the route of the WKP. Walk to WKP 417, at a wooded area. Via a hollow path, it's about 300 m to WKP 416. Watch out when crossing the Brusselsesteenweg. Continue straight here towards WKP 414. Further on towards WKP 415. At Spanjaardshof (3), at the end of Olmestraat, turn right, Mollemstraat. Follow the red and white GR signs now. At the end of Mollemstraat at a T-junction, turn left and immediately turn right. At the next T, turn left (towards bicycle node 14). Just past the place name sign of Mollem, turn right (between house numbers 61 and 59). You walk past the Neerkammolen. At WKP 201, turn right towards WKP 408. A little further, turn left, Merktweg (footpath no. 32). At the Ichelgem mill (4), turn right. At WKP 408, turn left towards WKP 4. At Koeweidestraat, turn left. A little further turn right and we again follow a piece of the Great Molenbeek. Keep following WKP 4. At a crucifix located at a small castle (5), turn right. Follow WKP 4. Walk past the sports fields and via Binnemolen, now tavern De Passerel, you reach the starting point again.