The best city hikes and walks in Natuurgebied Gerhagen

The existing bridge at Schaluinstraat in Diest connects to the network of slow roads near the station area. It forms the starting and connection point for the Demerpad, started in 2026, a separate cycle path along the Demer river that is part of the F26 cycle highway between Aarschot and Diest.

The Demerpeddelroute is a beautiful water route of approximately 31.5 kilometers long. The starting point is in Diest and the endpoint in Werchter, where the Demer flows into the Dijle. You can paddle the route by canoe, kayak, or SUP board.

The stairs to the Citadel of Diest connect the city center with the historic and renovated citadel domain on the Allerheiligenberg. These stairs are part of the site's redevelopment and offer hikers a smooth and direct climb to the top. At the top of the stairs, you have this beautiful view over the city.

The newly reopened "Oude Demer" was actually the original Demer river. During the construction of the ramparts, the Demer was partially diverted to flood the deep defensive moats. A complex system of sluices and control structures (Grote Steunbeer/Saspoort) was built for this purpose, but the Demer still flowed through the city. However, when water pollution became severe in 1960, causing a significant stench in the city, the Demer was completely diverted and filled in within the city. 14 years ago, it was decided to reopen the historical main bed of the Demer.

"Dieu fleuve" is Dutch for "river god", in this case "Demergod". With this monumental work of art, Belgian artist Johan Tahon pays tribute to water and the fluid, mysterious power of nature.

"De paardentrap aan de kaai" in Diest is a sloping ramp on the historic De Kaai along the Demer. The name dates from the 19th and 20th centuries, when this ramp was used to guide horses to the water or boats, and to load and unload freight ships.

The Church of Our Lady of Diest is located on the corner of Bruidstraat and Begijnestraat in the center of Diest. The sober church is mainly made of iron sandstone in a Gothic style typical of the region. It is therefore an important example of early Demer Gothic. In 1211, a chapel stood on this site, serving as the castle chapel for the Lords of Diest. They resided in a castle on the Warande. The Church of Our Lady was built between 1253 and 1288, in an early Gothic style. Beggars destroyed the church and stole all the metal when the church wardens did not comply with their financial demands. The church lost the storeys of its tower when it collapsed in 1612. In 1777, it received a new bluestone portal in Baroque style. The bluestone rose window in the west facade is striking. During the night of July 2-3, 1830, the vaults of the choir collapsed. It was considered not to repair the church anymore due to the high repair costs. At the end of the 19th century, the church was renovated, and the addition of a 65 m high tower was considered. This did not happen. Source: https://www.diest-online.be/onze-lieve-vrouwekerk/

The historic town hall of Diest is located on the Grote Markt, at the foot of the Sint-Sulpitiuskerk. Nowadays, only official matters take place here. Civil matters and administration are handled in the renovated rear building, accessible via “De Kaai“. The oldest mention of a town hall, or rather a Schepenhuis (Aldermen's House), in Diest dates back to 1337. By the beginning of the 18th century, the entire complex had fallen into disrepair, and it was decided to demolish the old buildings and construct a new town hall. The work began in 1726 and was completed in 1731. The medieval building's cellars remain, with beautiful Gothic sandstone vaults dating from the second half of the 14th century. In the old cellars of the Diest town hall is the city museum “De Hofstadt”, where you can learn about the city's history. The entrance is located to the right of the central staircase on the front facade of the town hall. Source: https://www.diest-online.be/het-stadhuis/