De Merode suddenly gained a lot of interest and its own identity, when Prince de Merode sold some 1,500 ha of forest and lands in the region in one fell swoop in January 2004. On behalf of the Flemish government, the Flemish Land Company then took over the entire area. The intention of this was and still is to preserve the domain as a whole and to prevent a possible fragmentation of that important green area. After all, fragmentation is not good for the landscape, for the habitats of the various plants and animals and for the offer for hikers, cyclists and horse riders. However, the purchase of the wooded area alone did not solve some of the problems. Action also had to be taken, for example, to launch residential tourism or to give nature more opportunities. In January 2004, the Flemish Land Agency received the green light for the purchase of the domain from the de Merode family in Westerlo. That purchase didn't just happen. Several partners pulled together to bring the negotiations for the purchase to a successful conclusion. In other words, there were many citizens and governments who saw the importance of such a purchase and fully supported the initiative. On 29 March 2004, all partners, in the presence of HRH Prince Laurent, signed the 'Charter de Merode' in the abbey of Averbode. In that charter, the partners agreed that they would preserve the unity of the area and open it to the public. They declared their willingness to protect the valuable nature and landscape and to provide opportunities for agriculture in the area. The originally purchased area was then resold to the various partners on 30 November 2005 with the following condition: What happens or is planned in the area of the respective partners, these partners permanently align with the interests of the entire region. They signed this agreement together in the 'Charter de Merode'. Detailed design and management plans are currently being drawn up for each sub-area of the de Merode domain. This is done in close cooperation with the various partners and on the basis of a general vision for the area. The development and management plans determine the further development of each sub-area and the input of each partner. This walk covers four of these sub-areas: Varenbroek, Hertberg-Oost, Helschot and Hertberg-West. The full walk is 22.4 km long but there are many possibilities to split the walk into smaller loops. More info on: www.demerodeonline.be