Combine a city visit with a nature outing during this varied hike in Oranjestad Diest. From cultural World Heritage to untouched natural area in one tour: that's how we like it.

Text and photo Guido Elias

First, we explore Diest with its hidden gems such as the Begijnhof, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and highlights like the Collegiale Sint-Sulpitiuskerk, the birthplace of Saint Jan Berchmans, and the De Hofstadt city museum. We head towards the unique nature area Webbekoms Broek, which houses an interesting visitor center, over the imposing defensive walls. Afterwards, we return through the provincial domain Halve Maan and the sometimes bumpy streets of the city center back to our starting point, the Grote Markt, where one can relax on one of the many lovely terraces on a sunny day. Free parking is available at the Citadel, from where you can reach the ever-bustling Grote Markt directly via the Allerheiligenberg.

The Route

Start with your back to the entrance of the Collegiale at the Grote Markt. After 50 m, turn right towards the Kaai, leaving the town hall on your right, continue to turn left and go straight along the Kaai until you reach Vissersstraat (turn left). Keep going straight and pass the Zichemse Poort in the Boudewijnvest. Follow this for 1 km. Along the way, you'll need to turn right twice to stay on this path. Then take the 2nd exit at the roundabout into Ferdinand Allenstraat. After about 170 m, turn first right and then immediately left into Alten Tramweg. After 200 m, turn right into Schaffensestraat, passing the Ezeldijkmolen. Another 200 m further, turn left into Begijnenstraat, where the Begijnhof with its cobblestones, workshops, beautiful Begijnhof church, and nice terraces beckons. Exiting the Begijnhof via H. Geeststraat and Kraaieneststraat, turn left into Vestenstraat and then immediately again left into Pesthuizenstraat. Carefully cross R26/Omer Vanaudenhovenlaan, follow left and go behind the parking lot over a path and stairs to the left onto the walls. Follow these to the Saspoort. Then go down and turn right over the Sas or through the gate towards Webbekoms Broek.

Soon, you will reach a bike bridge over the tracks. Before the bridge, turn right into Broek at the information board. Now follow the “red triangle” over a longer stretch, including along the Zwarte Beek. Where the “green walk” goes to the right, go straight ahead. Follow red and orange. Then turn right where the orange walk diverges. Over cobblestones and at the end, turn right and subsequently left into Webbekomstraat. At the end of this street, turn right along the Alten Bahn. After 800 m, turn right to Beukenplein, go straight along Meidoornstraat and continue along Beverpoortstraat, turn right into Wijngaardstraat, left through Vervoortstraat and left along R26/Kon. Astridlaan. Take the 2nd exit at the roundabout into Hasseltsestraat. Now turn left into Englandstraat and then right into Scotlandstraat, right at the T-junction into Leuvensestraat towards Egide Alenusstraat. After 200 m, turn left into Sint-Jan-Berchmansstraat and shortly after, you will reach the starting point, the Grote Markt.