Kuitenbijter Paddebroeken, Kartelobos, Putberg, Kravaalbos 23,9km

 Asbeek , formerly also written as Hasbeca, Aschbeke, Asbeke, Asbeeck, is a church village in Flemish Brabant. It is located in the far north of the Pajottenland and is one of the medieval hamlets in the municipality of Asse. The village owes its name to the watercourse that runs through the center

The southern part of Asse remained completely wooded until the late Middle Ages; gradually, however, the abbey of Affligem would take on an important part of the mining; The hamlet is already mentioned in 1160, when the now disappeared Overste Watermolen was donated to the said abbey. Until today, Asbeek remained a fairly isolated, rural residential area. In 1938 a chapel was established, depending on the mother parish of Saint Martin.

Secluded hamlet, clearly lower than the level of Asse center and characterized by a fairly simple, rural construction. In addition, some historic abbey farms were preserved; adapted farms and mostly small-scale houses from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries complete the whole.

The Kravaalbos

The Kravaalbos is an ecologically valuable old forest, characterized by a colorful spring flora. It is centrally located in the beautiful, gently sloping landscape between Aalst, Asse and Opwijk. This is where the streams that wind so sweetly through the landscape originate. For several years now, various partners have been working intensively together to make this landscape even more beautiful and rich in nature. A lot of things have already been achieved on the ground. And many more will follow in the coming years. This walk takes you through the fascinating and varied landscape in and around the Kravaalbos, past special locations where you can witness the rich past of the region and the landscape and nature in development.

Kravaalbos. Originally, the whole of Meldert was located in the middle of the woods. During both world wars, large parts were cut down. The trees were used to fortify German trenches and make charcoal for gunpowder, or were processed into fuel for vehicles. Later, the forest was replanted with American oak and sweet chestnut, which today systematically give way to native species. The forest enjoys a special protection status. Today it is an ecologically valuable forest, where in spring the bluebells provide a colorful spectacle.

Kartelobos

For a walk in our own region, the Kartelobos is certainly one of the most beautiful and remarkable places to experience. With its purple carpet of flowering hyacinths, you can enjoy a surprising and colorful spectacle among the young greenery. Located on a hill with farmlands around it, the views from there are a pleasure to behold. This walk is for the most part on footpaths, forest paths and field roads Let yourself be charmed by the beautiful nature on this walk.

Enjoy the beautiful views of the Pajottenland and in good weather on the village center of Asse.

The name Paddebroeken already occurs in the 15th century and means a wide piece of land between two furrows, located in a pants or wet forest. This meaning describes the nature reserve well: a sloping meadow varying from fairly wet to wet, located on the Wedbeek, with riparian vegetation on the stream side. Further on is a smaller piece of forest on the stream. Since 2016, part of the Paardenbos is also part of the area on the other side of the Wedbeek. Now Paddebroeken is also the name of a district located on the border of Merchtem, Opwijk. and Mollem (Asse).

The sloping meadow slopes down to the Wedbeek. There the plants grow according to the humidity of the area. On the drier higher part, daisy and white clover, among other things, flourish. Closer to the stream you will find dotterflower grassland with pikster flowers in spring and striking beautiful yellow dotter flowers. A rough full meadowsweet adorns the adjacent poplar plantations. Further along the stream, a typical alder forest gradually develops where valuable species such as duckberry and badger garlic grow.

In the six pools of the area, various aquatic animals such as brown frog and alpine water salamander benefit from the pure water. Plants such as water gentian and water violet provide oxygen in the pools. But dragonflies and damselflies will also find something to their liking in the vicinity of the pools. You can regularly see sparrowhawk and kestrel here with in the background the trunk of small spotted woodpecker in the trees in search of food.

On the highest part is an orchard with native fruits that both humans and animals can enjoy.

Wet meadows and forest form the Paddebroeken, a small nature reserve in Merchtem. The area is home to a surprising natural wealth in a fairly open landscape. Several nature and forest areas nearby connect the Kravaalbos in Mazenzele and Meldert, and the valley areas of the Grote Molenbeek and its tributaries in Merchtem and Steenhuffel. Nearby are the Paardenbos, Heibos and Kartelobos. @Natuurpunt

Putberg from Asbeek is an ascent in the Babantse Kouters region is 2.2 kilometers long and bridges 53 altimeters with an average gradient of 2.3%. This climb scores 31 climbing points. The top of the ascent is at an altitude of 81 meters.

The name Putberg refers to earlier stone quarries. A buildup that you get by digging something out used to be called a well mountain. The cobblestones that adorn this slope do not come from their own surface. The hollow road in Asse is a textbook example of a typical Flemish slope in old style: a steep start with cobblestones and a spur in asphalt. The Putberg in Asse is therefore not loved by everyone.

Enjoy the walk! Emiel Peeters