The best running trails in Hobos Beschermd Landschap

bailiff clercks lived here. He hanged the last bokkerijder!

It is not entirely clear why this segment was called Hobos. After all, the Hobos area is a lot larger and, in my opinion, this is not the most beautiful part. The segment does indicate a somewhat winding forest path that is located between the road and the edge of the forest where you see wet grasslands and meadows. It is probably a more frequently walked path because there is a parking lot and a house nearby where youth movements are often active. It may be louder and busier here, but this more recent part of Hobos is certainly a path for those who want to take a smaller walk with various views and a forest path feeling. In autumn, mushroom lovers will also get their money's worth and you will be close to the cycle path. At the southern end of the path it goes a little deeper into the forest, away from the edge of fields and the play and recreational forest that lies here.

Here on the Hobos estate you will find a sweet chestnut tree that was voted the most beautiful tree in Flanders in 2015 by the jury and the public in an election organized by Landelijk Vlaanderen, Landmax and the forest groups. Apart from that, it is a beautiful tree that is part of a very old chestnut orchard that was created by the Clercx family at the end of the 18th century and where the chestnuts were probably used to flavor the gin that was distilled in the gin distillery next door. their home. Also take a walk around because there are still beautiful trees and a special hollow tree.

Although the building of the De Grote Hof domain does not look that old, the history of this domain goes back a long time. Already in the mid-twelfth century, mention was made of "the court of Exele", which was donated to the abbey of Floreffe. Under French rule, all of Floreffe's goods were sold and a certain Francois Bodson became the owner of the De Grote Hof domain, where he leased out the farm as had happened centuries before. In 1852 a fire completely destroyed the extraction site, but it was later rebuilt, albeit modified. In 1967, part of the buildings became the property of one Antoine Van Werde. He acquired the central living area in particular, while the rest was extensively renovated and given a catering destination (discotheque). Today it is owned by the Flemish Government and completely dilapidated. Perhaps something is about to happen here too with the "promotion" of Bosland into a national park. There is a beautiful avenue leading to the building (and the parking lot where you can start the walks and find the necessary information boards).

The Hobos domain was first mentioned in 1427 as Hoebosche domain. The buildings you find here are a collection that grew and evolved over time. Buildings have also disappeared. The most famous building is undoubtedly the mansion, followed by the distillery. These were built by the Clercx family who purchased Hobos in 1769. Son Clercx was a well-known horse rider who prosecuted no fewer than 57 (alleged) goat riders and put them to the gallows. No wonder there are all kinds of stories and legends about him. The goat riders also appear in various aspects of the nature reserve. The gin distillery continued to operate until the end of the 19th century and was then converted into a home for the tenant. The white tenant farm is a remnant of the building complex as it was purchased in 1769. There are also remains of a farm belonging to a certain A. Andries, others have disappeared, such as the bakehouse. The last to live on the domain was the Brull family. They bought it in 1910 (drossaard Clercx died in 1840) and granddaughter Marie-Anne Wilsens, married to knight Huyttens de Terbecq and descendant of drossaard Clercx's younger brother, was the last resident. When she died, it was sold in 2010 to the Agency for Nature and Forests and the municipality of Overpelt. The buildings are in urgent need of restoration and the site is not accessible. Be sure to visit the lanes and especially the beautiful chestnut orchard. One of the trees was voted the most beautiful tree in Flanders in 2015. It is interesting that the chestnuts from the old orchard planted by the Clercx family probably served to flavor the gin they distilled.

Very nice ice cream

The Hobos Huis is a historic mansion located on the Hobos estate. Hobos means "high forest", which is why it is located at one of the highest points in Overpelt.