Holiday home in green Brabant: Hageland and Dijle valley
The area around Leuven is one of Flanders' most underrated holiday destinations. The Hageland with its rolling hills, ponds and abbeys, the peaceful Dijle valley with its marshland forests and meadows, and the Brabant Ardennes to the south: nature and peace barely an hour from Brussels.
Holiday homes in the Leuven area suit those seeking peace and nature an hour from Brussels. The Hageland (Tienen, Diest, Aarschot) and the Dijle valley (Oud-Heverlee) are the most popular areas. Prices range from €70 to €160 per night for a family home. Cycling is the ideal way to explore the region.
The Hageland: Brabant's green heart
The Hageland is the region northeast of Leuven, with towns like Tienen, Aarschot, Diest and Zoutleeuw. The rolling landscape with ponds, small woods and orchards is picturesque and quiet. Diest has a well-preserved historic centre with a UNESCO-listed begijnhof.
The Hageland is one of the least touristy areas in Flanders, making it ideal for those who want real peace and quiet. The cycling node network connects all villages and hamlets pleasantly. Cyclists and walkers find extensive routes here that are barely busy, even in the summer holidays.
Averbode Abbey and other excursions
Averbode Abbey, in the Hageland on the border of Flemish Brabant and Antwerp Province, is one of Belgium's most impressive Norbertine abbeys. The complex dates largely from the 17th and 18th centuries and stands in the middle of extensive woodland.
The Dijle valley south of Leuven is another draw for nature lovers. Around Oud-Heverlee lie lakes and marshland forests that have a special atmosphere early in the morning. Heverleebos is one of the largest contiguous deciduous forests in Flanders.
What to do in the Leuven area?
- Cycling through the Hageland via the node network (start from Tienen or Diest)
- Visit Averbode Abbey and its surrounding woodland
- Walking in Heverleebos and along the Dijle lakes in Oud-Heverlee
- Visiting Leuven city centre: Grand Market, Town Hall, KU Leuven campus
- Visit the begijnhof of Diest (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Cycling from Leuven to Neerijse along the Dijle
- Day trip to Brussels by train (25 minutes direct)
Holiday homes in the Leuven area
The range of holiday homes in the Leuven area is varied but relatively modest compared to tourist hotspots. That is also an advantage: the properties available are often authentic and spaciously laid out. Typical are renovated farmhouses in the Hageland with large gardens.
Those who want to use Leuven itself as a base can also look at properties in Leuven's suburbs, in districts like Heverlee, Kessel-Lo or Wilsele, within cycling distance of the centre.
Practical tips
Leuven is excellently connected by train from Brussels (25 minutes), Antwerp (45 minutes) and Liège (1 hour). The rail connection means that staying in the Hageland can easily be combined with a day trip to Brussels.
The best season is spring, when the orchards in the Hageland bloom and the forests turn fresh green. Autumn is also beautiful, with colourful broadleaf woods in Heverleebos and the valleys around Oud-Heverlee.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hageland and why is it interesting for a holiday?
The Hageland is the region northeast of Leuven, with towns like Tienen, Aarschot and Diest. The rolling landscape with ponds, small woods and orchards is picturesque and quiet. It is one of the least touristy areas in Flanders, ideal for those who want genuine peace and quiet.
How accessible is the Leuven area from Brussels?
Leuven is only 25 kilometres from Brussels, half an hour by car via the E40. By train there are multiple connections per hour from Brussels Central, with a journey time of 25 to 35 minutes.
Are there holiday homes with enclosed gardens in the Leuven area?
Yes, many farmhouses and rural homes in the Hageland and Dijle valley have large enclosed gardens, a plus for families with young children or dogs.
Is the Leuven area suitable for a cycling holiday?
Absolutely. The cycling node network in Flemish Brabant connects the entire Hageland and Dijle valley in a pleasant way. Routes are well signposted and mostly on quiet lanes and cycle paths.