The historic square farmhouse Berkenhof belonged to the Van Dale College in Leuven until the beginning of the 19th century. Later, generations of mayors ruled Opvelp from here. The farm has recently been beautifully restored (private).

Translated by Google •

October 13, 2025

I quote the regional expert with what I consider the best blog and texts (and I agree with his comments about the rear of the building): "Built just outside the village, Berkenhof was part of the 112-hectare estate of the Van Daele College of the University of Leuven at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1806, it was sold to the Van de Velde family from Brussels, and generations of mayors subsequently governed their village from here. The farm stood in a very dilapidated state for a long time, but has now been restored and has been a protected monument since 2000. Viewed from Opvelp, it is fantastically respectable, and the statues in the foreground are particularly impressive. But I find it a shame that the owner was allowed to build an extension with large windows and terraces in the former granary at the rear, disrupting the harmony with the old surroundings. And you can clearly see that rear from a distance as far away as the top of the Hazenberg. I also find it a shame that the long side on the inside of the courtyard, opposite the front gate, was built as a A contemporary element that doesn't fit the past at all. Perhaps this was done for economic reasons or by an architect with a flair for contrast, but as a heritage monument, I find the building significantly damaged (in heritage terms, this is mercilessly called "mutilated"). This paves the way for other owners, as well as for the heritage services, to not take the strict status of "protection as a monument" too seriously.

More: facebook.com/groups/natuurpuntoostbrabant/posts/10168272899801337

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 120 m

Weather

Today

Monday 27 October

10°C

8°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Bierbeek, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Mollendaalbeek Trail

Meidoorn met moordenaarskruis

Holle gravelweg

Uitzicht

Dikke Eik 300 jaar oud - 5 meter omtrek

Rachiershof

Warre Tambuyzer Memorial Bench

Meldertbos Ponds and Forest Trails

Hollow Footpath Between Meerdaalwoud and Bierbeek Center

Jezuïetenhof

La ferme Daulerie 1889

Sint-Ermelindiskapel

Berkenhof

1. Hazeberg Nature Reserve – Berkenhof loop from Opvelp

2. Church Road – Mollendaal Shelter loop from Bierbeek

3. Sint-Antonius Abtkerk – Jezuïetenhof loop from Opvelp

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️