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The wooded sections are at the beginning and end of the route, in and around the castle grounds, and between km 10 and 16. The Troostembergbos is magnificent. The Walenbos is very pretty at the beginning but quickly becomes very wet and muddy, as does the section between km 2 and 3. Wear suitable footwear.
The rest of the route is on gravel country lanes, small village streets or farm tracks.
There are only two climbs worth mentioning on the route and no other particular difficulties to note.
You may be lucky enough to spot a deer or two, or catch a glimpse of a woodpecker or other beautiful bird perched high up in the Troostembergbos... or another rare bird in these parts.
Around Horst Castle
Roughly halfway between Leuven and Diest, south of Aarschot, Horst Castle stands proudly on the edge of its pond and wooded estate.
This hike offers a long loop through woods and countryside around this vestige of the past.
Details
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 12.99 mi -
Average duration: 6h 25 -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 492 ft -
Descent: - 509 ft -
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Highest point: 308 ft -
Lowest point: 62 ft
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 108 ft - Château de Horst car park
- S/E : mi 12.99 - alt. 108 ft - Château de Horst car park
Notes
Plenty of parking at the starting point … and, if it’s busy, another – huge – car park 200 metres to the west.
Places to eat or have a drink are available near the starting point – check the opening hours at Het Wagenhuis Horst – it gets very busy on sunny days 😀
For those who rely on the excellent signposting in this region known as Hageland:
From the starting point, follow the waymarking via the waypoints in the following order:
143-150-148-145-131-132-133-134-125-119-118-135-136-137-59-236-235-234-233-232-231-224-230-226-227-153-152-151-144-143.
Note: only the section 235-234 differs from the suggested GPS route, but it is undoubtedly a better option to avoid the tarmac.
Worth a visit
Leuven
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