The best waterfall hikes and walks in Flanders

A magnificent, unexpected hike in the heart of an urban environment, with quiet and bucolic paths, most often following the course of a river. I absolutely recommend it.

At Nature Alice you will find alpacas and ostriches, you can buy sweaters, duvets and so on made from alpaca wool.

The Ducal Church of Our Lady in Alsemberg has a rich history dating back to the 12th century, when a simple chapel stood on this site. According to legend, a church was founded in 1225 by St. Elisabeth or Mary of Hungary, with a statue of Mary that led to apparitions and made Alsemberg an important place of pilgrimage. The church attracted many prominent visitors over the centuries and was given the title "ducal". In the 19th century, the church was given its characteristic Gothic spire.

The Herisemmolen or the Former Cardboard Factory Winderickx in Alsemberg is a 19th century industrial complex that grew out of an old 16th century paper mill. The cardboard factory closed its doors in 1940 and since then all the machines have remained untouched. ​ The water wheels and the restored Bollinckx steam engine now drive the 19th century machines again. The whole is one of the best preserved examples of the once flourishing paper and cardboard industry in the Flemish Brabant region. The site was recognized by the European Commission in 1991 as a model project for the conservation of architectural heritage. In 2000, Herisem received the prize for monument care and since then several more prizes, including the Tourism Award for Heritage Tourism from the Province of Flemish Brabant in 2018. The site consists of the original paper mill, the cardboard factory, the associated farm (with grain mill) and a centrally located house with former office. The site is located in the middle of 16 ha of pasture, fields and woodland in the valley of the Molenbeek. The buildings together with the landscape are protected as a monument and landscape by Royal Decree and form the domain "Herisem". https://www.herisem.be/

The Begijnenbos is a charming, densely wooded area where quiet paths wind their way through deciduous trees and meandering streams. This green gem, located near the famous Beersel Castle, offers walkers a peaceful escape with lush nature and the sound of birdsong in the background.

The former Winderickx cardboard factory is located between the meadows, fields and forests. Also called the Herisemmolen. This 16th-century paper mill gradually switched to the production of cardboard in 1853. The cardboard factory closed in 1940, but the machines remained untouched until now. This is one of the best preserved sites from the flourishing paper and cardboard industry in Flemish Brabant of yesteryear. You can visit the site, including the original paper mill and cardboard factory. It is very special how during your visit you observe the transition from how the artisanal craft of paper making gradually grew into an industry.

From a simple chapel next to a farm in the 12th century, to a church known for its beautiful statue of Saint Mary, to a popular pilgrimage destination. The Church of Our Lady of Alsemberg, built in a late Gothic style and recognizable by the typical Brabant architecture from the 14th century, even received the ducal title. Be sure to take a look at the church. The baroque-style confessionals, the authentic Romanesque baptismal font and the gilded devotional statue of Our Lady make you pause and think of earlier times. To this day, many pilgrims find their way to Alsemberg.

We take a moment to enjoy a delicious, fresh Belgian beer. We do this in Biercentrum De Lambiek in Alsemberg. Here you will immediately learn everything about the history, ingredients and brewing process of Lambic beers, Geuze and Kriek. Did you know that Lambic is the oldest of the existing beer types in Belgium? It is a wheat beer, for connoisseurs: complex, layered and sour. You can drink the beer as is, but at the same time it also forms the basis for the iconic gueuze and cherry beers that are very typical of Brussels and the region around it. The beer center opens its doors once a month. When that is and more information about the entrance fees, you can find it on the website of Biercentrum De Lambiek. Cheers! Beer lover? Then you probably already knew that our Belgian beer culture is on the UNESCO list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.