Herfelingen

The hilly and open landscape of Pajottenland, immortalized by Bruegel on his canvases, is a welcoming hiking area. With a proper mountain, the Kesterheide, you can hike up the hill, enjoying beautiful panoramas for free. The fact that the surroundings now lie in peace and harmony does not mean it was always so. During the time of Napoleon, the Stevenists, deeply devout Catholics, were persecuted for decades because they disagreed with the Pope and separated from the Church. However, this did not prevent the region from being prosperous. Powerful quadrilateral farms are proof of this.
DEPARTURE POINT
You can reach the church of Herfelingen by taking exit 20-Ternat on the E40 and following the N285 towards Edingen. After 17 km, take the exit to Herfelingen-Centrum on the right. You can also take exit 21-Halle on the Brussels Ring (R0), drive over the A8 to exit 25-Hoves, and follow the N285 towards Asse for a distance of 6 km until the exit to Herfelingen-Centrum comes on the left.
PARKING
On both sides of the church.
TYPE OF ROAD
Low-traffic asphalt roads, some earth paths, and grassy paths.
ACCESSIBILITY
Impossible for wheelchairs.
INFORMATION
Tourism Pajottenland and Zennevallei: Historic Town Hall, Grote Markt 1 Bus 1, 1500 Halle, Tel. 02 356 42 59, Fax 02 361 33 50, pajottenlandzennevallei@toerismevlaanderen.be, www.gooik.be.
EATING & DRINKING
-Café De Zoete Inval: Sint-Niklaasstraat 33, 1540 Herfelingen-Herne, Tel. 054 56 66 77, closed on Tue.
-You can enjoy your picnic in the JO-NA sports hall, Winnepenninckxstraat 4, 1755 Leerbeek-Gooik, Tel. 02 532 02 02, open from 4:00 PM on Mon.-Tue., open from 9:00 AM on Wed.-Sun.
-Brasserie 't Fonteintje: Assesteenweg 69, 1540 Herne (3 km along the N285 towards Edingen), Tel. 02 396 09 61, fonteintje@busmail.net, closed on Mon., open from 6:00 PM on Tue.-Sat., open from 11:30 AM on Sun. and public holidays.