The best running trails around Diest

The historic railway bridge over the Demer (former railway line 30 between Zichem and Scherpenheuvel) is now an integral part of the local walking and cycling network. The restored bridge connects the village centre and the station with the surrounding nature reserves and historical sights.

At the Maagdentoren in Zichem, during the redevelopment of the site, information boards have been placed in the recognizable Merode style. You will find explanations about the history of the 14th-century keep, its collapse and reconstruction, as well as the surrounding walking and cycling routes. The historical fragments from the earlier collapse have been reused to build a low wall with corten steel at the entrance. A rest area with a bench has also been integrated here, surrounded by newly installed bike racks.

Between the Demer and the Grasbos...

Easy at the end a bit steeper...

Fort Leopold was an important part of the defense belt around Diest in the nineteenth century. It is located on the Lazarijberg and offers a beautiful view of the city as well as the citadel located a little further away. The intention was for the fort to protect the city, but a few years after it was put into use, it was already converted into a prison. Punished soldiers from the Leuven prison were brought to the fort. Writings on the wall are still silent witnesses of that time. Prisoners were also locked up during the World Wars. The fort was used by the paratroopers in the second half of the twentieth century, but they left about 20 years ago. Since then, only a caretaker has maintained the building. In 1996, it became a protected monument. The building is constructed from hundreds of thousands of bricks and has very thick walls, making it very cold and dark, the ideal habitat for bats, according to the Agency for Nature and Forest, which is the current owner.

Fort Leopold was an important part of the defense belt around Diest in the nineteenth century. It is located on Lazarijberg and offers a beautiful view of the city but also of the citadel located a little further away. The intention was for the fort to protect the city, but a few years after it was put into use, it was already converted into a prison. Punished soldiers from the prison of Leuven were brought to the fort. Writings on the wall are still silent witnesses of that time. Prisoners were also locked up during the world wars. The fort was used by the paratroopers in the second half of the twentieth century, but they moved out more than 20 years ago. Since then, only a caretaker has maintained the building. In 1996 it became a protected monument. The building is constructed from hundreds of thousands of bricks and has very thick walls, making it very chilly and dark, the ideal habitat for bats according to the Agency for Nature and Forest, which is the current owner.

The city park originated here after doctor Henri Verstappen bequeathed his house and garden with the witness hill and associated grounds to the city council in his will. From 1939, upon the death of Henri Verstappen, the city of Diest came into possession of this domain. Due to the war, the park's development only began in 1948. Henri Verstappen had stipulated that his residence on Graanmarkt should serve as the main entrance to the park. The house was demolished and replaced by a neoclassical entrance gate with four statues on top, originating from the North Station on Rogierplein in Brussels. In 1952, the gate building with a commemorative plaque was inaugurated. At the top of the hill are the foundations of the castle of Diest, erected by Otto I, lord of Diest, in the third quarter of the 11th century. It was a keep made of iron sandstone with stables surrounded by a moat. The castle was demolished in 1512 and the stones from the castle were used for the construction of the Sint-Sulpitius Church in Diest. In the 16th century, the Count of Nassau had plans to build a new castle on the Warande, but these were never carried out. In the 1950s and 1960s, the De Warande sports stadium and the De Warande municipal swimming pool were built.

The parish of Sint-Jan-de-Doper was founded in 1253 and in 1297 the church was elevated to the rank of Chapter Church. Architecturally, the building consisted of a heavy west tower behind which was a nave, consisting of three aisles and three bays. The building was constructed in local iron sandstone. In 1578, the church was burned down by the troops of William of Orange. Only the northern part was restored. The church remained in use until 1823, after which it was used exclusively as a cemetery. In 1853, exactly six centuries after its founding, the roof above the choir collapsed. The ruins of the Sint-Jan De Doperkerk are protected monuments. The choir, the chancel arch between the choir and the transept, a remnant of the transept, and a piece of the sacristy are covered with a thick layer of ivy, making the ruin look beautiful. The ivy growing on the ruins of Sint Jan is more than 163 years old and has grown exceptionally large. There is also an ancient yew (poison) tree that is completely overgrown with an wrought iron crucifix that stands in front of the church. The other trees growing in and around the ruins are also exceptionally beautiful and old. Source: https://www.staddiest.be/sint-jan-de-doperkerk.html