The beauty of the area where I live in Belgium never ceases to amaze me. Orchards pop with color in the spring. In the summer there is an abundance of apples, cherries, grapes, peaches, pears, and plums. In my garden, more than a hundred clusters of grapes hang above my head on the covered terrace.
Wild Beniksberg
The Hageland Hills in Flanders are truly magical. They are home to numerous orchards and vineyards. Quite a surprise for Belgium! The hills are ideal for hiking and biking. There is so much to see and do here!
I thought I had discovered everything until a friend introduced my hiking group to Beninksberg in nearby Holsbeek. The area, which was first referenced on maps centuries ago, has been a protected cultural-historical landscape since 1977. The Flemish government purchased most of the 124-acre area in 1991. I was stunned by its beauty! Take a look!
Nature at Its Best
Beniksberg is home to a nature preserve that offers breathtaking views of the Winge Valley. From hills that soar about 165 feet above the Valley, you can actually catch a glimpse of the Atomium in Brussels. In the summer, an explosion of purple beckons you as the heather blooms. In the autumn, the colors beckon you to explore the area. It really is a bit of heaven on earth.
The most remarkable thing about Beniksberg is the wild Konik horses that roam across the hills. If you are lucky, you can get a glimpse of these magnificent wild ponies that graze in the preserve.
What Are Konik Horses
Konik actually means small horse, but technically speaking, the horses are actually ponies. Ranging in height from 12.3 to 13.3 hands or 50 to 54 inches tall, these beautiful stocky animals roam throughout the preserve grazing on the grasses.
Native to Poland, Konik horses were bred back to be similar to the ancient tarpan horses that once roamed through the wetlands and forests of Europe and Western Asia. Unfortunately, they became extinct at the turn of the 20th century. The last few were captured in Poland and placed in zoos.
Scientists discovered that the domestic mares actually ran in herds where the ancient tarpan once roamed. They continued to produce offspring with tarpan characteristics: mousy-grey coloring, short legs and necks, dark manes with white hair, striped forelegs and backs, and a tendency to turn partially white in the winter.
Horses and Biodiversity
Horses have gained a role in nature conservation in Europe and breeds like the Konik are ideal since they are hearty, robust creatures that graze on coarse grasses and rushes, which helps to restore habitat and increase biodiversity. They live in groups and keep vegetation short. Stronger than domestic horses, they are able to withstand harsh winters, although winters in Belgium are quite mild — nothing like the seven years of Minnesota winters or the 40+ years of Upstate New York winters I lived through!
On our recent trek to Beniksberg, we were treated to an up-close and personal visit by the horses. They were standing in a group near the fence close to the nature preserve entrance. Curious and friendly, they came to the fence to greet us. It was magical!
Hiking in Flanders
It is so easy to go hiking in Belgium, thanks to the “knooppunten” system. You can plan your route ahead of time and follow the marked “knoop” points to get to your destination. For a trip to Beniksberg, start at the Blauwmolen parking area in Holsbeek and follow the signs from #68 to #165 (0.4 km), #166 (0,6 km), #67 (2.3 km), #67 (2.4 km) to #68 (3.6 km). After your walk, stop at the Blauwmolen cafe for a bowl of homemade soup or Belgian beer.
-*- If you aren’t among the lucky ones to see the Koniks on the hills, you can see them HERE.
How to Get There
It takes about 45-50 minutes to get to Beniksberg from Brussels by car, or two hours by public transport. Just take the E40 heading east to the E314 in the direction of Leuven. Exit the highway at Holsbeek, exit 21. Turn left onto Korte Holsbeeksesteenweg N229 and at the roundabout, take the first exit onto the N19, Aarschotsesteenweg. A few kilometers down the road, turn right onto Steenweg op Nieuwrode. Then, you’ll turn left onto Beniksstraat (1.6 kilometers) and travel to Gelrodesebaan, where you’ll turn left (1.2 km). You can park at Blauwmolen, about a 5-minute walk from the hill, or park in a small parking lot just across from Beniksberg hill. I recommend using your GPS as there can be road construction or detours in the area.
Discover more places in Flanders. Just visit the Visit Flanders website.
