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De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve – Dijle Path loop from Neerijse

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Hiking trails & Routes

De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve – Dijle Path loop from Neerijse

Moderate

4.6

(118)

495

hikers

De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve – Dijle Path loop from Neerijse

03:26

13.2km

90m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 29, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Doode Bemde

Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

792 m

De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve

Highlight • Forest

Contrary to what its name suggests, this humid nature reserve in the Dyle Valley is buzzing with life. Can you find the traces of beavers who shape the area like real landscape architects? Or will you spot a kingfisher, great egret or kestrel from the bird watching huts? Where does that strange name come from? Well, 'Doode' points to the fact that the land cannot be cultivated by farmers. And 'bemde' stands for 'moist grassland'. So we are now putting on our boots for a brisk walk in the 'unusable grasslands' of the Dyle Valley.

Translated by Google •

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2.49 km

Doode Bemde Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

The Doode Bemde is a nature reserve of almost 300 hectares. It is located on both sides of the Dyle on the territory of Oud-Heverlee, Sint-Joris-Weert, Neerijse (Huldenberg) and Korbeek-Dijle (Bertem). The Dyle still has its original meanders here and can regularly overflow its banks. This ensures a wide variety of biotopes. It is the largest private nature reserve in Flemish Brabant. The name of the nature reserve can be easily explained. 'Dead' refers to the unsuitability of the land for farmers. A 'Bemde' is a moist grassland. Info and source: Friends of Heverleebos and Meerdaalwoud vhm.be/doode-bemde

Translated by Google •

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4.36 km

Prins de Bethunelaan Cherry Tree Avenue

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

This is the Prins de Bethunelaan. "A breathtaking cobblestone road that is planted on both sides with Japanese flowering cherry." Source and photos: huldenberg.be/nl/prins-de-bethunelaan

Translated by Google •

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6.76 km

Margijsbos

Highlight • Forest

The Margijsbos is located on the slopes east of the Ijsevallei, covers approximately 120 hectares and is privately owned. But as the resident and hiker who was already there knows, walking is allowed on some roads in the forest - and on the Huldenberg site you can see where that is allowed and read what I just wrote: huldenberg.be nl/margijsbos

It is interesting to know that the Margijsbos with its sunken roads, many sources, slopes and rich flora is also very old. It is also inextricably linked to Loonbeek Castle (see "Van Der Vorst Castle"). A predecessor of that castle is said to have already existed in the thirteenth century.

Both the forest and the castle, the ponds and the Ijserivierloop have changed a little over time and in the twentieth century a new owner built a villa in Normandy style in the middle of the forest.

Quite complex and with many traces of the past, all but more than fascinating. Anyone who wants to know just about everything about it can start with the Heritage Inventory where the landscape of Margijsbos and Van Der Vorst Castle is discussed in detail.

Immovable Heritage Inventory: Margijsbos and Van Der Vorst Castle, id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/135099

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.32 km

Margijsbos

Forest

8.37 km

Hollow Way

Highlight • Trail

A nice hollow road ...

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Tip by

10.3 km

Dijle Path

Highlight • Trail

As befits a good Dijle path, this path is located on the Dijle. It partly runs over the Dijlestraat, which leads to the entrance of the De Doode Bemde nature reserve, through which the Dijle meanders elegantly. There is a warehouse of the Friends of Heverleebos and Meerdaalwoud (with information board about De Doode Bemde) and there was once a water mill and chemical factory. The street departs from the road to Sint-Joris-Weert (Neerijsebaan). There you will also find two bunkers from 1939 and an organic flower garden. If, conversely, you depart from the latter location (for example coming from the Sint-Joris-Weert station), there are several Dijle paths and routes through the nature reserve, with gates and often grazers.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

11.7 km

Doode Bemde boardwalk

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

In the spring you will find quite a few interesting flowers and plants here. You can now certainly see yellow iris up close, but also, for example, the large rattle and plants typical of this type of landscape.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.1 km

Pond

Highlight • Lake

There is a spot at the end of the pond where you have a good view, so no need to go to breakneck speed. Before you get there there is a canal in front with shrubs / thickets behind it. The yellow iris blooms in the canal and on the banks the frogs jump en masse in front of you into the water at this time of year (and with a bit of luck one will look at you for a snapshot).

Translated by Google •

Tip by

13.2 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.50 km

4.96 km

2.24 km

447 m

Surfaces

5.27 km

3.01 km

2.31 km

1.28 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (80 m)

Lowest point (20 m)

Weather

Tuesday 7 July

26°C

17°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

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De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve – Dijle Path loop from Neerijse

De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve

Doode Bemde Nature Reserve

Prins de Bethunelaan Cherry Tree Avenue

Margijsbos

Hollow Way

Dijle Path

Doode Bemde boardwalk

Pond

Nearby routes

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