A water-rich journey, along Dijle, dead arms and sweet waters, to the Meerdaalwoud - 8.5 km

South of Leuven, the Dijle has largely been left to find its way through the valley. As a result, it meanders greatly and has a largely unspoiled character, which is quite unique in Flanders. Due to the action of currents and sedimentation, riverbanks, lowlands, and subtle elevation differences in the landscape were formed during the ice ages. From the early Middle Ages, this area underwent gradual agricultural development. To drain the wet lowlands, an extensive system of ditches and channels was constructed in the valleys, into which numerous shorter ditches flow. Although marshy areas had little strategic military significance, Count de Ferraris nonetheless created detailed maps of this backyard of Leuven in the 18th century. These show that the valley forests largely made way for an open landscape of grasslands and fields. During this walk, you will discover a number of buildings, roads, and landscape elements that are also found on the Ferraris map. Experience this piece of living history in the footsteps of the cartographers of Ferraris.