The best walks and hikes around Halen

The museum keeps alive the memory of the Battle of the Silver Helmets, which took place on August 12, 1914, in Halen. It was the last major battle at cavalry division level and the only Belgian victory over German troops without Allied help during WWI. On an impressive 30 m² model, you can follow the course of the battle. You will discover a unique collection of authentic items, such as colorful uniforms, paintings by front-line painter James Thiriar, the diary of Arthur Brühe, testimonies (video montage), and of course the famous 'Silver Helmets'. Opening hours: May 1st to October 31st / Wednesday to Sunday / 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Guided tours are only possible by appointment.

The mill was built on behalf of the sisters of the Mariënrode Abbey, presumably shortly after 1422. Research showed that the original mill was destroyed and that the oldest parts of the current mill date from 1646. Construction continued until 1715. In 1777, a new south facade was built. In 1924, a tower was built against the mill to serve as a summer residence for the owner. His son moved in permanently and built an extension. The business continued until 1961, when the mill wheel's axle broke. The interior was preserved, and in 2005, the mill and its surroundings were protected as a monument and a village view, respectively. In 2009, a fish ladder was built near the mill. The brick mill house is still original. Iron sandstone has been incorporated in various places. The going gear is still intact. A beam bears the year 1760. The transmission mechanism is unique, as the technology of the windmill was applied: the grinding mechanism is driven from above, which is unusual for watermills. The tower-like structure is 20th century. The outbuilding across the street consists of petrified timber framing.

The Willekensberg is a cuesta characterized by the presence of hollow roads. They originated from centuries of use.

This pedestrian bridge over the Zwart Water, an artificial drainage channel of the marshes in the Demer Valley, now connects the Flemish Brabant and Limburg parts of the Webbekoms Broek nature reserve. Thanks to the bridge, hikers can now complete a circuit of over nine kilometers straight through the Webbekoms Broek.

This observation tower is centrally located in the area between the inner and outer basins of the water catchment basin. It is a wooden structure with viewing holes to observe the surroundings. This is also possible from the platform at the top of the stairs. Several existing structures have also been incorporated into the observation towers. They are equipped with information panels about the fauna and flora in the Webbekoms Broek.

Webbekoms Broek is part of the Webbekomsbroek-Borchbeemden Flemish Nature Reserve, a contiguous area of 397 hectares managed by the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests. This also includes the Diesters Broek, the Schaffens Broek, and the Borchbeemden: Rotbroek, Gorenbroek, and Sint-Jansberg. Several watercourses flow through the area. The most important of these is the Demer. The others are primarily its tributary, the Zwarte Beek, the Grote Leigracht, and the Leigracht. The Demer Valley has been plagued by floods for centuries. The most severe floods in recent history date back to 1998. There were also serious floods in Diest in 2008. To prevent severe water damage, retention basins and floodplains were installed. The Webbekoms Broek and its surroundings constitute a floodplain. In September 1998, a retention basin with a surface area of 144 hectares was put into operation in the Webbekoms Broek. The area can hold 3.5 million m³ of water. There is an inner basin and an outer basin. The inner basin is surrounded by dikes. The remainder forms the outer basin, which primarily functions as a nature reserve.

The former cornfield where you are standing was forested a few years ago. To the right of it stands one of the oldest high-stem orchards in Limburg. Both prehistoric and medieval finds were discovered in the immediate vicinity.

Beautiful nature reserve where you can fully enjoy the beautiful views at a moderate speed.