Huldenberg, Belgium: A Hidden Gem in the Flemish Countryside

February 18, 2025

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Cori McCormick

Nestled in the heart of Flemish Brabant, Huldenberg is one of Belgium’s best-kept secrets. There are three main reasons to visit this beautiful area: history, authentic Flemish culture/traditions, and nature.

Getting to Huldenberg

Located just 20 kilometers southeast of Brussels, Huldenberg is easily accessible by car or public transport. If you’re traveling from Brussels, you can take a train to Leuven and then hop on a local bus or taxi to reach the town. We drove to Huldenberg from Middelburg, Netherlands, and it was only about a two-hour drive.

A Glimpse into Huldenberg’s History

Huldenberg has a rich history dating back to medieval times. The town was historically an agricultural hub, benefiting from the fertile lands and proximity to major trade routes. Many of its historical buildings have been preserved, offering a window into the past for visitors eager to learn about Belgium’s cultural heritage.

Why We Were There

And now, a bit about my family’s history. My oma (grandmother) was born a van der Vorst. Sounds important? It potentially is. Jan van der Vorst served as chancellor of Belgium from 1505 to 1509 and is supposedly a distant relative.

Now, there is some controversy about the Dutch and Belgian van der Vorsts—an amusing Flemish version of the Hatfields and McCoys. Someday, I intend to get to the bottom of it. As of now, I have researched this lineage back to Jannis Willemsz van der Vorst of Serooskerke, Netherlands (1723-1776), so I’ve got a ways to go.

In the meantime, I somehow needed to share this potentially monumental family landmark with my growing children. So we went and experienced it.

Here are the things we did and saw while we were in the Huldenberg area.

1. Church of Saint Anthony, Loonbeek

Also known as Sint Antonius Kerk, it was the primary church of Chancellor van der Vorst, so we went there first.

This protected historic site has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Built in the Gothic style, it features a stone tower and soaring ceilings. There’s also a cemetery on the grounds, as was customary at churches of the time.

Loonbeek near Huldenberg Belgium — *The road into Loonbeek. The Church of Saint Anthony is on the left.*

Inside, it bears beautiful carvings of the van der Vorst family crest I grew up with.

This church is still in use today. During our visit, an employee of the church gave us a tour and shared some of its history with us.

2. Casteel van der Vorst

Our family has always had a fascination with this castle. It’s no wonder! It was owned by the van der Vorst family for two centuries.

Jan van der Vorst bought the castle, forest, watermill, chapel and several farms in the year 1500, five years before he became chancellor. He died nine years later and was buried in Brussels.

Sadly, the buildings were set on fire by the Geuzen (Calvinist Dutch nobles) in 1579. However, the van der Vorst family retained ownership until the beginning of the nineteenth century and, during this time, had the castle rebuilt and the gate erected.

A glimpse inside:

Loonbeek Castle near Huldenberg Belgium — *This is what we saw when the gate opened.*

Other views of the grounds are shown below. Although this castle is private property, you can visit it on Open Monument Day. I’d like to return for this someday.

The Watermill

There is a watermill on the property, but it was not a working watermill for many years.

The Hiking Trail

There’s a five-mile moderately challenging hike that connects Huldenberg and Loonbeek and goes right by the castle. It takes about two hours to complete.

The green line below shows the part of the Huldenberg-Loonbeek five-mile hike that passes through the castle grounds. However, the white dotted lines below are also paths, part of the Margijsbos National Forest.

We walked to the left of the front gates and turned right just before the watermill. This is the side view of the main building we saw from the path:

3. Exploring Huldenberg

Huldenberg’s Town Hall

Located in the heart of town, Huldenberg’s town hall is a historic and administrative center serving the local community. The elegant building reflects traditional Flemish architecture, blending modern functionality with heritage. It houses municipal offices, providing essential services to residents while preserving the town’s rich cultural and civic identity.

Huldenberg Belgium City Hall — *Huldenberg Town Hall*

Downtown Huldenberg is not large, but it does have a supermarket, pharmacy, and a few restaurants.

Here are the things on our list we weren’t able to get to do and see while in the Huldenberg area:

The Meerdaal Forest and Heverlee Woods

The Doode Bemde Nature Reserve

Cycling Through the Hageland Hills

Huldenberg Weekly Farmer’s Market

Summer Music and Folk Festivals

Where We Stayed: Park7 in Huldenberg

We’ve stayed at hotels all around the world, and this one remains my hands-down favorite. This amazing property is owned and operated by a couple with royal roots (Thierry’s grandmother, who lived in the castle, was a princess de Croÿ, and his mother was a French princess). Katia, Thierry’s wife and a former Ford Agency model, is a lovely, gracious host.

They are the nicest people ever, and we enjoyed visiting with them over breakfast in the property’s lovely kitchen and chatting with their daughter, Angelique, who was studying art at the Royal Academy.

I daresay, staying at this lovely property could be worth the trip alone if you are looking for a relaxing getaway.

Day Trips from Huldenberg

If you’re staying for a few days, here are a few days trips you can take:

Leuven – A lively university city with historic buildings, great shopping, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
Brussels – Belgium’s capital, offering world-class museums, iconic landmarks like the Grand Place, and the famous Atomium.
Overijse – Known for its grape-growing tradition and scenic vineyards.

Things We Learned From Our Time in Huldenberg, Belgium

Weather: Pack layers and waterproof gear—Belgium’s weather is unpredictable, even in summer.
Language: Dutch is the main language, but many people speak French and English.
Cash vs. Card: Credit/debit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is useful for small village shops and markets.
Transportation: Uber is available in Belgium, but only in the major metro areas. Huldenberg is a bit remote, so although there is a bus system that connects Huldenberg to Leuven and Brussels, renting a car is recommended.

Final Thoughts

Huldenberg may not be as well-known as Bruges or Ghent, but that’s precisely what made it so special to us. It was an unspoiled slice of Belgium where we could connect with nature, explore the area’s history, and experience the local culture without the crowds.

If I’m able to return, I would like to sample Flemish stew—a hearty beef stew made with (presumably Belgian) beer—and attend Open Monument Day.

Originally experienced in August 2013; content refreshed in 2025.

Cori McCormick

Cori is an independent journalist, adventurer, and photographer who is currently sailing around the world full-time with her husband, Roy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and her master’s degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton. When she’s not exploring new places, she can be found hiking or playing with pothounds.