The Achelse Kluis is a real highlight. Hermits lived here in the 17th century and cleared the sandy soil. In 1846 the Westmalle Trappists founded a new settlement here, following the strict rules of the Cistercians: prayer, study and silence.
In 1850, King Leopold I granted Achelse Kluis a brewing license. During the First World War, the German occupying forces confiscated the brewery. As a result, beer was no longer brewed until 1998. With the help and knowledge of the Trappist Abbeys of Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren, the abbey then began to brew again.

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Marieke Duchatteau

January 3, 2024

Hiking

The Achel Monastery consists of several floors that have been built over the centuries. It started in the mid-17th century when a Catholic border church stood here. A hermit community was founded here in 1686 and parts of the monastery were built over a century. The chapel was built in 1736. The Trappists of Westmalle ensured that a neo-Gothic monastery church was built in 1855. After the two world wars the monastery was modernized.

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September 9, 2023

Hiking

The Achelse Kluis is both the popular name for the abbey of Our Lady of La Trappe of the Holy Benedict (or shorter Saint Benedict's Abbey of Achel) and a surrounding nature reserve along the Warmbeek with meadows, deciduous forest and coniferous forest. It connects other nature reserves such as the Leenderbos in the Netherlands and the nature reserves of the Beverbeekse Heide and the Warmbeekvallei in Belgium.

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Nearby routes

Best routes near Achelse Kluis Abbey

4.1

(33)

109

hikers

#1.

Circular walk Abdij van Achel in Hamont-Achel – Our Monastery Path

11.9km

03:00

10m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.1

(33)

109

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#2.

Monastery Walk in De Groote Heide

11.8km

02:59

20m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.5

(146)

699

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#3.