This walk goes through the Demerbroeken nature reserve with alternating reed bushes, hay meadows and woods along the way. On your path you will pass the Maagdentoren and at the Hemmekes you will board an authentic flat-bottomed boat from the 19th century. You can enjoy a beautiful panorama on the Voortberg.
Demerbroeken
Distance: 13 km
Duration: 3h15
Grade: Moderate
Gps track: Yes
Route description: Yes
Type: Circular
Height gain: Flat
Way mark: Walking nodes
Wheelchair: Unsuitable
Dog: Allowed on leach
Demerbroeken.
The walk starts at the watermill with “ne quid nimis” above the entrance door (nothing too much). The mill used to be in the possession of the Norbertine Abbey. You go along the bank of the Demer and then through an open landscape with meadows lined with hedges in the direction of Zichem. You go around the village and after a first short climb you get a nice view of the gently sloping landscape. On a old train bed from 1892 you walk in the direction of the Demer where you will arrive at the Maagdentoren. This rare circular tower from the 14th century was built of iron sandstone with lime sand mortar. You are now going through the picturesque village of Zichem. At the church you pass the statue of Ernest Claes and his Witte van Zichem. You go past the watermill to the Hemmekens where you can have a nice picnic on board an authentic, handmade flat-bottomed boat from the 19th century on the banks of the Demer. You cross the railway via a paved part and walk into the nature reserve Demerbroeken. Here you follow the banks of the Hulpe through a beautiful piece of nature. The area was mainly used as hay land and peat cutters also made their appearance, witness beautiful remains in the form of fens and quaking bogs. The last part you climb the Voortberg where you go through a beautiful mixed forest with some beautiful views of Testelt and the surrounding area. You walk back to the starting point past the church of Testelt.
Download PDF for nodes to follow
73% unpaved
Some paths can be quite swampy
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https://trailexplorer.eu/en/belgium/flemish-brabant/flemish-brabant-walks/2065-demerbroeken.html#sigProIdc122915ced