Walking in Pajottenland: the Wildegisten Walk
Wildegisten Walk
Start
Start: Pedemolen
We start at the watermill at Sint-Gertrudis-Pede (Dilbeek), known to locals as ‘Pedemolen’. This is an 18th-century, authentic watermill and also one of the few remaining working watermills in Pajottenland. The Flemish Master Pieter Bruegel is also said to have cast his artistic eye here when painting ‘The Return of the Herd’ and ‘The Magpie on the Gallows’. The Pedemolen is regularly open to visitors, every second and fourth Sunday afternoon of the month from April to October, and every second Sunday afternoon of the month from November to March. Volunteers are happy to show you how grain is milled into flour, as it was in the old days. Just behind the mill, you can have fun at the pond, where there's a boardwalk (raised footpath), or in the orchard with its old fruit varieties.
Pedemolen (Watermolen van Sint-Gertrudis-Pede) - Lostraat 84 - 1703 Schepdaal
Groenenberg Castle and Estate
Our route also crosses the magnificent Groenenberg estate in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw. In this extensive park, covering 45 hectares, you can wander between the colourful rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas. The park is arranged around Groenenberg Castle in the typical charming English landscape style. Here, you can relax in nature and also learn more about the impressive Brabant cart horse. The actual castle was built in 1890 by a notary from the nearby town of Hal, but is not accessible to the public.
Gaasbeek Castle
The next castle on our walk is accessible to the public and well worth a visit. Across more than 20 museum galleries in Gaasbeek Castle, admire a precious collection of furniture, tapestries, paintings, sculptures, fine metalwork, glass windows and much more. In one of the museum wings, you can also visit the bathroom, bedroom and ‘chambre rouge’ belonging to Marquise Marie Arconati Visconti. They offer a rare glimpse into the daily lives of the lords and ladies who once lived here. Gaasbeek Castle has a turbulent history and was originally built to protect the former duchy of Brabant from invasion. It was the marquise who, in the late 19th century, organised the transformation of this Medieval fortress into what it is now: a neo-Gothic romantic fairytale castle. It stands in an extensive park covering a grand total of 49 hectares with a 17th-century folly, an old chapel, a triumphal arch in honour of Napoleon and a magnificent museum garden with indigenous fruit and vegetable varieties.
Insidertip!
Have you worked up an appetite? Then, try Brasserie Graaf at the entrance to the castle estate. Also, don't miss the home-made ice cream with fresh dairy milk from Gaasbeek's Krijmerie.
‘t Guldenhooft Brewery
Just beyond the Gaasbeek castle estate, the path enters ‘t Guldenhooft Brewery in Sint-Laureins-Berchem. After years of hard work, this old farm brewery in the shadow of Gaasbeek Castle became a fully fledged brewery where Bob brews two kinds of beer: ‘Rosten Uil’ and ‘Rosten Uil Barrel Aged’. Thanks to a recent addition, you can now also try Oude Kriek ‘t Guldenhooft and Oude Geuze ‘t Guldenhooft. Make an appointment to visit the brewery.
Lindemans Brewery
Further on our walk we also pass Lindemans, one of the most iconic lambic breweries in Belgium. Here, ever since 1822, the family has been brewing lambic in the traditional way. This is also the basis for their well-known Geuze, Kriek and other fruit beers. You can visit the brewery (with a reservation) on week days, with a thrilling tour in which you learn all about this ancient brewing process.
Arrival: Kestemont Brewery
On our way back to the Pedemolen we come across the Kestemont lambic brewery. In 2016, the Kestemont family bought this complex from the former Goossens brewery. Three years later, they served up their first lambic beer, and, two years after that, they brewed the first lambic of their own in a new brewhouse. This family of brewers blends tradition and innovation: by growing their (organic) grain and fruit themselves, they make their lambic and fruit beers fully circular. You can visit the brewery on Fridays and Saturdays at 2 pm with a guided tour and beer tasting.
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