Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Hobos House – Bench With a View of the Field loop from Nationaal Park Bosland

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Hobos House – Bench With a View of the Field loop from Nationaal Park Bosland

Moderate

4.0

(5)

hikers

Hobos House – Bench With a View of the Field loop from Nationaal Park Bosland

02:35

10.2km

30m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 24, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Nationaal Park Bosland

Hobos beschermd landschap

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.21 km

Hobos House

Highlight • Historical Site

The Hobos domain was first mentioned in 1427 as Hoebosche domain. The buildings you find here are a collection that grew and evolved over time. Buildings have also disappeared. The most famous building is undoubtedly the mansion, followed by the distillery. These were built by the Clercx family who purchased Hobos in 1769. Son Clercx was a well-known horse rider who prosecuted no fewer than 57 (alleged) goat riders and put them to the gallows. No wonder there are all kinds of stories and legends about him. The goat riders also appear in various aspects of the nature reserve. The gin distillery continued to operate until the end of the 19th century and was then converted into a home for the tenant. The white tenant farm is a remnant of the building complex as it was purchased in 1769. There are also remains of a farm belonging to a certain A. Andries, others have disappeared, such as the bakehouse. The last to live on the domain was the Brull family. They bought it in 1910 (drossaard Clercx died in 1840) and granddaughter Marie-Anne Wilsens, married to knight Huyttens de Terbecq and descendant of drossaard Clercx's younger brother, was the last resident. When she died, it was sold in 2010 to the Agency for Nature and Forests and the municipality of Overpelt. The buildings are in urgent need of restoration and the site is not accessible.

Be sure to visit the lanes and especially the beautiful chestnut orchard. One of the trees was voted the most beautiful tree in Flanders in 2015. It is interesting that the chestnuts from the old orchard planted by the Clercx family probably served to flavor the gin they distilled.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.80 km

Gortenloop Valley Wetlands Restoration

Highlight • Natural

The Hobos protected area includes the Gortenloop valley. This stream flows into the Holvense Beek, which in turn flows into the Dommel. In the context of the drought in the nature reserve, Natuur en Bos and the municipality of Pelt will restore the Gortenloop valley in 2023 and 2024 to give the wet nature - flora and fauna - their place again. Part of the forest is converted into grassland. Here - and also further north and south - you will see an information board about these works, fairly large areas of wet grassland and how everything will fit in Hobos. The felling of forests in this part will be compensated in the edge of the Hobos. There are tree planting campaigns.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.54 km