Attractions and Places To See in Grotenhoutbos - Gierlebos - Top 15

The Grotenhoutbos, also known as the Gierlese Bos, is a forest in Flanders, southwest of Turnhout, on the border of the municipalities of Vosselaar and Gierle. It covers an area of 375 hectares and is part of the Natura 2000 area "Forest and heathland areas east of Antwerp." https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grotenhoutbos

It is one of the oldest forests in the Kempen with very diverse biotopes. So give your eyes and ears a good treat during your walk or bike ride through this wonderful habitat. There are many mammals in Grotenhout (300 hectares): eight different bat species, roe deer, hare, fox and stoat. The pond is a popular spot for butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and toads. Breeding birds include the honey buzzard, the wood warbler, the middle spotted woodpecker and the black woodpecker. The plant list is also impressive with more than 360 discovered species. One of the oldest forests in the Kempen Grotenhout, also called the Gierlese forest, is located southwest of Turnhout on the border of the municipalities of Lille and Vosselaar. With its 300 hectares, it is one of the largest and oldest forests in the Kempen. The area contains approximately 100 hectares of oak forest that is more than a hundred years old, as well as beech, ash and alder forests. The alternation of a rich subsoil with poor grasslands ensures a great wealth of plants. Muskwort, wood anemone, scattered-leaved goldfinch, slender primrose, blue button and ground star are just a few examples of the more than 360 species that occur. Back in time The Grotenhout forest has a rich past that (on paper) dates back to 1320. For centuries, noble families used the forest as a hunting domain. For example, the Dukes of Brabant, Burgundy, Habsburg, Nassau and Prussia held sway in the Grotenhout. The importance of the Grotenhout is also evident from the addition of the area to the list of free forests, the most important hunting domains for the lord of the manor Philip the Good (1430). From the 18th century onwards, the managers focused on timber production, although the nobility hunted small and large game there for a long time. Natuur en Bos took over the management of the Grotenhout in 2000. We want to safeguard the landscape and the natural values through smart management. Old forest plants are given every chance again and rare animals come home. Parts of the Grotenhout are protected as a forest reserve and are not accessible to visitors.

The former Grotenhoutbos is a relic of the estate forest with an impressive avenue complex that served as a hunting ground for the Dukes of Brabant, later Lords of Turnhout. This forest domain - a large, contiguous, wooded area in a intact, open agricultural area - is the only old forest complex of that size in the Kempen that has remained present since at least the Middle Ages. Vulnerable old vegetation with rare plants associated with a forest environment can be found in the forest.

The real tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius, synonym: Polyporus fomentarius), also known as tinder fungus or tinder-hole fungus[2], is a fungus belonging to the family Polyporaceae. It is a weak parasite that grows on weakened living or dead trees. It has a particular preference for birch (66%) and beech (24%). Other substrates are poplar (4%), oak (3%) and a number of other deciduous trees in even smaller numbers.

An idyllic spot with a view of the pond

Resting spot at the pond

The Grotenhoutbos, located in the south of Vosselaar and partly in Gierle, is one of the oldest forests in the Antwerp Kempen. The forest (300 ha) also has an extremely rich history. Until the end of the 17th century, hunting fulfilled the most important function in the forest. For example, the Dukes of Brabant held grand hunting parties there in the thirteenth century. This changed from the 17th century onwards. In 1667, Adriaen Ghys, a forester from Vosselaar, sowed the first pine tree in the Kempen. The domain remained in the hands of important noble families, but they now focused on timber production. One of the owners was Victor Bracht, who was able to save the remaining 415 ha. of forest from destruction in 1929. Since 2000, the Grotenhoutbos has been owned by the Agency for Nature and Forests of the Flemish government. Through sophisticated forest management, the original landscape is to be restored as much as possible. Centuries-old forest plants are given every chance again, which in turn attracts rare animals. The greatest asset of the Grotenhoutbos is the enormous variety of different ecosystems. Various signposted walks run through the domain. The main entrance to the Grotenhoutbos is located at De Breem, at the bridge over the E34 motorway.

sofa with a view