Experience and discover
Gateways
Herkenrode Abbey
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Herkenrodeabdij 4
3500 Hasselt
+32 11 23 96 70
abdijvanherkenrode@herita.be
www.abdijvanherkenrode.be
As soon as you walk through the impressive gate building of the former abbey, you are transported right back to the Middle Ages, far away from today’s hustle and bustle. The Cistercian nuns have left their mark not only on the surroundings with beautiful abbey buildings, but also with the construction of dozens of fish ponds. The Abbey of Herkenrode therefore rightly deserves the title of ‘gateway to De Wijers'. It is the ideal starting point to strike out for cultural-historical hikes or cycling trips, where you do as little or much as you like or are able to do.
Activities
Clausura
The artist duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh reimagines the once magnificent abbey church of Herkenrode, the sisters’ quarters and the cloister galleries at full scale as an artistic spatial installation in Corten steel. The abbey church rises again as a true “see-through church.”
The artwork, titled *Clausura – a spatial memory*, will likely be known to the general public as the big brother of the “see-through church” in Borgloon (*Reading Between the Lines*).
Paddling route
From July 1 to March 31, you can rent a 1- or 2-person kayak via the automatic Paddle Share rental system to sail down the Demer to Kuringen. Admire the beautiful natural banks and experience the abbey site from the water!
Book here
Hiking
From the site, you can strike out for marked nature trails, ranging from 1 to 9 K. They take you along ponds, orchards, damp grasslands, hedges and historic landscapes. Dogs must be kept on a leash, except in the dedicated dog area next to the parking lot, where they can run around freely.
www.natuurenbos.be/herkenrode
www.wandeleninlimburg.be
BUY THE HIKING MAP
Hiking areas nearby
- Platwijers-Wijvenheide
- Bolderberg
- Herkenrode Woods
Cycling
The Herkenrode Abbey Site is located on the Limburg cycling route network that connects the entire region.
Bikes can be rented via www.visitlimburg.be/en/bike-hire
Food and Drink
On the abbey site
Nearby
Tuiltermolen
The fully restored ‘Tuiltermolen’ mill is home to the Herbal Knowledge Centre, open during certain events or can be hired.
www.herkenrode.be
Hasselt
Rent a bike and visit the inviting city centre of Hasselt. Take a stroll through the streets and alleys full of trendy shops or visit one of its museums, such as the Jenever Museum, Fashion Museum Hasselt, ‘Het Stadsmus’ or ‘Villa Verbeelding’. A visit to the world-renowned Japanese Garden should definitely be on your to-do list.
www.visithasselt.be