The partnership of Merode Landscape Park vzw has installed the first signposts for the multi-day Merode Path, a hiking route of nearly 160 km connecting iconic heritage with varied nature. The official start for the signage was given on October 2nd in Averbode. The trail passes through nine municipalities: Aarschot, Diest, Geel, Herselt, Hulshout, Laakdal, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Tessenderlo-Ham, and Westerlo.
The choice of the three-province point as the starting location symbolizes the connection the path makes between the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, and Limburg. Antwerp Deputy Mireille Colson, chair of the landscape park, along with Vice-Chair Monique Swinnen and Limburg Deputy Laura Olaerts, placed the first walking signs.
The Merode Path is praised for its unique character and the great variety of landscapes, from the Kempen and Hageland to the Demer Valley, Grote Nete river, extensive forests, heathlands, and fens. The path reflects the region's rich nature and tells its story, uniting nature, heritage, and recreation.
Numerous heritage sites, including the abbeys of Tongerlo and Averbode, the beguinage of Diest, and the Basilica of Scherpenheuvel, are crossed by the path. Chapels such as the Sint-Bavo Chapel in Laakdal and the Sint-Dimpna Chapel in Zammel also contribute to the heritage narrative.
The route was mapped out in collaboration with various partners, including provincial route offices, local authorities, land managers, and volunteers. This cooperation lays the foundation for an optimal welcome for multi-day hikers, with attention to accommodation options and stage distribution.
An investment plan along the path will enhance the experience with land art projects and small-scale regional information points. In Langdorp, the first quiet zone has already been realized. In total, seven land art projects and listening points will be spread across the area, with realizations planned between 2027 and 2028.
The project is co-financed by European subsidies through the Interreg project 'Pearls in Healing Landscapes' (approximately 1,000,000 euros) and a contribution of 250,000 euros from the province of Antwerp, supplemented by investments from the Merode partners.
