Attractions and Places To See around Heverleebos - Top 19

The arboretum in Heverlee is the starting point of the so-called path of Ad, which is no less than 26.2 km long, where you will discover forest figures by tree artist Ad Wouters in various places. Officially it is called: "Soft bears, mischievous gnomes, modern Neanderthals, metre-high mushrooms and other playful figures turn the Meerdaalwoud and the Heverleebos into real fairytale forests. The wooden sculptures are the work of local tree artist Ad Wouters and turn your walk into a fun quest full of wonder. Ad cuts the forest figures from the trunks of dead oaks." And you can find all the information at https://www.visitvlaamsbrabant.be/wandelen/vind-een-wandeling/het-pad-van-ad

The arboretum is part of an extensive public forest area of over 1900 ha and is located on the northern edge of the Heverleebos, less than 4 km from the city of Leuven. This tree collection of 9 ha was planted in 1930 with mainly exotic trees. The aim of this initiative was to systematically investigate the demands that exotic trees make on their growing environment and how they respond to the influence of the environmental factors prevailing here (climate, soil, etc.). Additional plantings followed at regular intervals and experienced a major peak around 1942 and quite recently in 2002. Until 2002, the arboretum underwent few structural changes during that time. Since 2000, the managers have been working with a new management vision. Where this ‘tree garden’ used to be mainly interesting for specialists, the manager now wants to make it attractive to everyone. Attractive landscape with trees of all sizes, rest areas here and there, a small heathland and walking paths with information boards. The clay forest hut with a green roof at the entrance to the arboretum is a good starting point for walks in the arboretum of Heverleebos. The arboretum collects more than 300 different tree and shrub species, both exotic and native species. Source, information and complete plan at https://www.natuurenbos.be/sites/default/files/2023-07/Folder_Arboretum_Heverleebos.pdf

If you walk here from Vaalbeek past the white houses on the walking path, it seems as if you are entering a small paradise. Yet not everyone is satisfied with these areas of heathland. A little further north (towards the forest reserve 'De Grote Omheining', the only forest reserve in Heverleebos), there is a larger section that is reminiscent of the Kempen. Signs remind us of the importance of diverse management, but before open areas can develop, trees are cut down and this has caused several protests in Heverleebos over the years. The Dijleland Nature Study Group wrote a detailed text some time ago about the necessity and results of this forest management in which open spaces and heathland play a role. You can read it at http://www.natuurstudiegroepdijleland.be/visietekst-bosbeheer/ And it is also very beautiful.

This is the British military cemetery (Heverlee War Cemetery). It is located next to the municipal cemetery of Heverlee. After the liberation of the Leuven region in September 1944, the '101st British General Hospital' was established in the nearby girls' school of Heverlee. Those who did not survive the hospital were buried in a temporary cemetery. From July 1946, Heverlee War Cemetery was constructed as a collective cemetery for the dead from the temporary cemetery at the hospital, but also for the dead from numerous other cemeteries in the wider area. The cemetery was designed by Philip Hepworth. The cemetery now contains 989 dead from the Second World War. In addition, there are also 29 identified dead from the First World War (plot 11), from about 10 smaller cemeteries where the preservation of their graves could no longer be guaranteed.

Allerheigen, many English-speaking visitors, 80 years after the facts... It brings you to your senses. The discolored American Oak provides the appropriate tribute.

Beautiful place in the Heverleebos. The autumn colors are beautiful. The busy E40 was clearly audible

The monastic domain of Missiehuis De Jacht forms a characteristic ensemble consisting of a main building with a tour around an inner garden, a guest house and a farm in the south, a sick pavilion in the north and a cemetery with Lourdes grotto in the northeast of the plot. The Mission House was designed in 1927-1928 by the Heverlese architect Theo Van Dormael on behalf of the canon missionaries of Saint Augustine. Despite the many additions to the site in the second half of the 20th century, including by Paul Van Dormael, son of Theo Van Dormael, the monastery domain has retained its authentic character. The fact that the buildings are embedded between the green foothills of Heverleebos on the one hand and fields on the other contributes to this character. Source and more information about the Monastery Domain Missiehuis De Jacht: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/305651

On the edge of Heverleebos near Vaalbeek, pieces of forest have been cut down to once again create a hectic landscape and more diversity. A bench invites you to enjoy this beautiful piece of heathland.