The best walks and hikes around Bree

a drink and a bite at the mill

Cornelissen Brewery is a traditional Belgian family brewery in Opitter (Bree Limburg) that has been brewing craft beer for over 165 years. It is one of the oldest and most authentic breweries in the region, combining classic brewing methods with modern quality. The brewery has existed since 1859 and has been located in Opitter ever since. Originally known as Brouwerij Sint-Jozef, the brewery has carried the Cornelissen name since 2015 to emphasize the family's heritage and commitment. The Cornelissen family has been brewing beer in the region since the 1800s, and the brewhouse at Itterplein 19 has been the home of this craft for generations. Now, the sixth generation is at the helm, with Jef Cornelissen as the current owner and master brewer. Cornelissen Brewery offers a wide range of Belgian beers, including traditional pilsners, abbey beers, and specialty beers. Some well-known brands and styles include PAX Pils – a classic Belgian pilsner (lager) with a long brewing tradition. King Mule IPA – India Pale Ale with a fruity hop character. Limburgse Witte – a cloudy white beer with refreshing notes. Herkenrode Cister – an abbey beer that gained international fame and won several awards. Kriekenbier – a fruit beer with Limburg cherries for a fresh, sour note. Sint-Gummarus Tripel and Ops-Ale – other styles with local characteristics. These beers have won medals at various international competitions, including the World Beer Awards, where several Cornelissen beers were recognized. The brewery remains true to traditional production methods, as old copper brewing kettles are still in use. Its own yeast cultures are preserved and used in the brewing process, and its own water source from the Itter Valley is used to ensure consistent water quality. This combination of tradition and quality gives Cornelissen beers their signature flavor and consistency. You can visit the brewery to observe and sample the beer brewing process. Tours with tastings are available (usually upon request or during special days) and provide insight into the brewery's rich history and production methods.

The Pollismolen is one of the most striking historic watermills in Opitter, a submunicipality of Bree (Limburg, Belgium). This beautifully situated undershot watermill, mentioned in documents dating back more than eighty generations, is a fascinating piece of industrial heritage and an attractive starting point for nature experiences in the Wijshager/Eetsevelderbeek valley and surrounding nature reserves such as the Itterbeek Valley. The Pollismolen was mentioned as early as 1078, making it one of the oldest watermills in the region. Over the centuries, the mill was called by various names, including the Wayenberghmolen and later the Scheelenmolen, until its current name, derived from the old name Pölles, became common. The current mill building, with its authentic wooden interior, largely dates from the 19th century (circa 1870). The mill served as a grain mill on the Wijshagerbeek (also called Eetsevelderbeek) for a long time until it was decommissioned in 1961. In 1981, the mill was purchased by the municipality of Bree, after which a thorough restoration took place to make it operational again. Since 1994, the Pollismolen has been officially recognized as a protected monument, including the mill house, water wheel, and lock mechanism, due to its industrial-archaeological value. Today, the mill is once again in operation, for example, for demonstrations, and remains a living example of the typical watermill tradition.

The park originated around a castle built here around 1900 by a Brussels lawyer who built a country house on the site of a former moated farm and created a spacious park of almost 7 hectares around it. The rapidly expanding collection of trees and ponds in the English landscape style gave the estate a character that is still visible today. When the original residents died, the castle changed hands. After Mrs. Janssens died in 1970, the castle was purchased by the municipality. However, the building fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished, but the park itself was preserved and opened to the public.

The boardwalk through the Wetlands is an atmospheric walking experience in the Itterbeekvallei nature reserve, a small-scale marsh, stream, and grassland landscape in the Belgian province of Limburg around Opitter and Bree. This characterful nature reserve is an important part of the cross-border Kempen-Broek landscape and offers a beautiful mix of marshland, meadows, and reed areas where you can walk along a boardwalk.

Kim Clijsters 3.0 refers to the third phase in Kim Clijsters's extraordinary sports story, in which she sought her place again in professional tennis after previous comebacks and a rich career. Clijsters became one of the greatest Belgian sports icons of all time, with a career characterized by talent, perseverance, and the courage to start over again and again. After her first retirement in 2007, her story seemed complete, but in 2009, she surprised the tennis world with an unprecedented comeback. As a young mother, she immediately won the US Open and confirmed her status as an absolute world champion. In 2012, another retirement followed, this time definitively—or so it seemed at the time. Her record was solid, with multiple Grand Slam titles and a world No. 1 ranking, along with a reputation as a complete player with power, speed, and fair play. Clijsters 3.0 began in 2020 when Kim, at the age of 36, announced her intention to compete at the highest level again. Not driven by rankings or titles, but by a love of the game and the personal challenge of discovering her limits. This third phase was fundamentally different from previous comebacks, and modern women's tennis was physically faster and younger than ever. Clijsters had to compete against a generation that had grown up with her as an idol. Although this comeback didn't yield any major sporting successes, Kim Clijsters 3.0 took on a different meaning. It was less about winning and more about inspiring resilience and demonstrating that top-level sport remains possible even after classic career moments. She became a symbol of lifelong learning, of starting over without guarantees, and of daring to fail in the public sphere. Today, Kim Clijsters 3.0 primarily represents a mentality: not being stuck in a version of yourself, but evolving with every phase of life. Her third chapter confirmed that her legacy lies not only in trophies but also in her role as an example for athletes, parents, and anyone who ever considers pursuing a dream once more.

In summer, the ponds are almost invisible because of the reeds. This bridge/viewpoint offers a beautiful view.

idyllic place, and ready to grind (was on Sunday morning)