Raspaillebos

On the flanks of the Bosberg, squeezed between the valleys of the Dender and the Mark, lies the Raspaille forest. The landscape combines the steep features of the Flemish Ardennes with the gentle slopes of the Pajottenland. The numerous paths, sometimes meandering between dense forests or in wide, flowery lanes, sometimes in open countryside, invite you to enjoy the colorful forest environment all year round.
natuurpunt.be/natuurgebied/raspaillebos

A forest is always nice for a walk, but especially when it is very hot. Nice and cool!

The Raspaillebos is located on the steep eastern flank of the witness hill Bosberg. This beech forest is located in a very relief-rich landscape on the border of the Flemish Ardennes with the Pajottenland, with steep valley walls, rolling hills and deeply incised valleys. The 50 ha Raspaillebos, together with the Moerbekebos, the Karkoolbos and the Kluisbos, belong to a 150 ha large forest area on the flanks of the Bosberg.
The Raspaille forest once belonged to a forest called 'Arduenna' by the Romans and known as 'Coal Forest' at the time of the Franks. This name has its origins in the Iron Age, when charcoal was burned en masse for iron production.
The name of the forest is said to be derived from the term “rapaille” (scum) or from “raspe” (coppice). The old Flemish 'raspe' (planing, rasping) refers to the traditional coppice management in this forest. Every twelve to eighteen years old stumps of trees and shrubs are deposited to the ground. New shoots sprout here, which continue to grow until the next haircut. Numerous springs originate in the forest. A chapel, 't Juffrouwke, was built at one of these sources because the water would help against toothaches.
During the revolt of the Gentenaren in the 14th century at the time of Jacob and Philip van Artevelde, the rebels found support from some farmers from the Geraardsbergen and Ronse region. The farmers were chased from their farms and found shelter in the Raspaille forest. Thus a band of robbers arose who made numerous raids from the forest in the castles of Aat, Lessen and Vloesberg. Jan de Lichte and his gang are also said to have been here repeatedly. According to some sources, the forest owes its name to these villain stories. The words 'Raspeel', 'Rapaille' and 'Raplage' all refer to 'rabble'.