Top 7 Lakes around Herstappe

On this spot stood the 14th-century Harenmolen, also known as Piringenmolen. The mill building was completely demolished in 1968. The last remnants of masonry disappeared in 2014 due to the excavation work for the installation of a collector on the Mombeek. During this work, a number of fragments of late medieval pottery and a copper or bronze mouth harp from the late Middle Ages or early modern period were also unearthed.

The old Tongeren railway embankment is a valuable piece of nature that crisscrosses the cultural landscape in Haspengouw like a ribbon. The Spoorwegzate, formerly a heavily used connection between Tongeren and Tienen, is today a valuable piece of nature. Around 1879, a network of railway and tram lines was constructed between Tienen and Liège for rapid and mass transport between the agglomerations and for the transfer of goods. The old railway bed cuts through Wet Haspengouw. The subsoil consists of clay and sand layers, covered by a layer of loam. The valley floors are very wet and were therefore used exclusively as hayfields and pastures. Later, poplars were also planted. The Fonteinbeek crosses the landscape and flows into the Mombeek further downstream. Rooi Castle, Hoevenaars Castle, and Kolmont Castle are historical attractions. On one side of the embankment are badger burrows, orchards with tall trees, and fields. On the other side of the bed, at a distance of approximately 50 meters, flows the Fonteinbeek, with damp grasslands and hay meadows, some planted with poplars.

Today, the park is extremely overgrown, overgrown, and covered with car wrecks – we counted about twenty – and most of the park's trees are overgrown or have even become picturesque ruins that overhang the ponds or block the walking path. Solitary trees no longer stand alone; new growth plagues the entire park, disrupting the large lawn and the sightlines. However, careful clearing, a few mowings, and judicious new plantings of trees and flowering shrubs would suffice to restore the structure to its legibility and offer captivating and varied views.

1274: Heers Castle is first mentioned in a historical document. A century later, it is plundered and burned by the troops of Charles the Bold. The current castle is a result of reconstruction and dates from around 1500. The following centuries continued to be ravaged by war: the Dutch, French, and Germans all made their appearances. The De Rivière family, who had owned the castle since the 14th century, was declared bankrupt in 1757. From 1859 onward, the castle came into the possession of the Desmaisières family, who lived and enjoyed it lavishly... until the costs became too high. In the 21st century, the castle fell into complete disrepair due to conflict and lack of funds. Local volunteers launched a rescue initiative. Today, many partners are working on a new future for this impressive place steeped in history.

Our small country is a patchwork of small-scale nature reserves that overlap and influence each other, and that is also the case here. You are in the Mombeek valley, a stone's throw from Spoorwegzate and the Sint-Annabeek valley. From Opleeuw, a unique grassland hill bends towards Kerniel. Impoverished grass and hay fields of, among other things, glossy oat, marsh marigold and blue grass are in full development here and will attract various plants, including colourful orchids. Finally, note the high-stem orchards of Zammelen, the sloping forest and the many springs. In any case, there are enough information boards along the way to learn and read all about it. In short: variety galore. More about the Mombeek valley, the central area at this location, can be found at https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/mombeekvallei

The sports and recreation park is located on the edge of the city centre and functions as a green lung and recreational alternative to the busy city life. The city park is divided into a recreational and sports zone.

Green path on the old railway in the Spoorwegzate nature reserve

Here the Mombeek meanders (again) through the landscape. By straightening and deepening streams in the past, the landscape was confronted with excessively rapid water drainage, desiccation, flooding and loss of biodiversity. Here the focus is again on stream structure restoration and they allow the streams to meander again. The ponds with swamps drain the water slowly and thus flood in places where it is not a nuisance. This allows water to slowly penetrate into the soil.