Sint-Lievens-Esse, a district of Herzele and known for the Livinus worship, is located in an agricultural area with plenty of open space. It is crossed by a network of slow roads.

Text and photo Mark Dedapper

In Sint-Antelinks we partially walk through the Duivenbos nature reserve, consisting of a mixture of swamp forests, dry forests, grasslands, and meadows. The rolling terrain is a precursor to the Flemish Ardennes. We start the walk at the picturesque village square with a kiosk, some old mansions, and the Van den Bossche brewery, especially known for the range of Pater Lieven beers. We follow, among other things, sections of the Regional GR (SGR) Flemish Ardennes and the blue and red signs of Natuurpunt. For the rest, there are no indications.

Pasar 2021/2 – Last route check 2020/11

The route

Departure: parking lot Sint-Lievensplein in St.-Lievens-Esse (V). Leave the parking lot via the alley between the newspaper shop and the church (SGR). At the end of the narrow path, turn left. At the T-junction turn left and at the end of the asphalt path turn right. At the fork of paths take the right branch. At the end of the path, take the field road to the right (leave SGR). On the asphalt, go straight ahead. At the T-junction quickly turn right and after 20 m take the path to the left – ignore side paths. At the end of the path turn right. Where the road becomes unpaved, turn right. After 200 m take the field road to the left. At the former tram line, now cycle path (1) - sharply turn right. 150 m further take the narrow path to the left between the fields. At the roadway turn left. In a bend by the Kollebloem farm, turn right. Next roadway turn right. At the small square with chapel turn left (cobblestone road). At the junction take the right (Mollestraat). Just past a bend in the road take the path to the right (blue rectangle). You enter the Duivenbos (2). At the end of the poplar avenue go straight ahead (red square). At a field at the top take a few steps to the left. At the closing gate just before the church you leave the signs and take the grass path to the left. Cross the road and go straight on Mulderstraat. At the junction turn right and shortly after take the alley to the left – further on there is a beautiful view. Next roadway turn right. 600 m further cross the main road and take the gravel road straight on. At the T-path turn right. At the end of the path turn right onto the asphalt road. At the Y junction dead end road take the left (Tortelboomstraat). Where the paving ends, take the concrete path to the right. At the roadway turn left. At the church of Sint-Antelinks (3) go straight ahead. After 750 m, opposite house number 27, you arrive at point A. //Beautiful but sometimes very muddy course (+1 km): at A take the path to the right (blue rectangle). At asphalt road turn left and 80 m further (Point B) opposite the farm take the muddy field road to the left (fence closure but accessible to walkers). At asphalt left. In the bend of the road take the field road to the right (SGR) – Point C. // Basic route: At point A go straight following the SGR until in Esse. At X turn right. In a clear bend (point C) take the field road diagonally to the left (SGR). At the chapel take the path to the right. The SGR signs lead you back onto the main road: left. At the bus stop turn left. Just before the water tower to your left in a farmyard you notice a mini version of the Lion of Waterloo. At X past the cemetery turn left. Past house number 21 take the tile path to the right. Past the Sint-Livinus chapel (4) just before the roadway take the narrow path to the left. Follow the SGR signs carefully, which will further guide you to the church with parking.