De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve

Contrary to what its name suggests, this humid nature reserve in the Dyle Valley is buzzing with life. Can you find the traces of beavers who shape the area like real landscape architects? Or will you spot a kingfisher, great egret or kestrel from the bird watching huts? Where does that strange name come from? Well, 'Doode' points to the fact that the land cannot be cultivated by farmers. And 'bemde' stands for 'moist grassland'. So we are now putting on our boots for a brisk walk in the 'unusable grasslands' of the Dyle Valley.

The Doode Bemde is a nature reserve of almost 300 hectares. It is located on both sides of the Dyle on the territory of Oud-Heverlee, Sint-Joris-Weert, Neerijse (Huldenberg) and Korbeek-Dijle (Bertem). The Dyle still has its original meanders here and can regularly overflow its banks. This ensures a wide variety of biotopes. It is the largest private nature reserve in Flemish Brabant. The name of the nature reserve can be easily explained. 'Dead' refers to the unsuitability of the land for farmers. A 'Bemde' is a moist grassland. Info and source: Friends of Heverleebos and Meerdaalwoud vhm.be/doode-bemde

Always interesting to read before you enter the nature reserve.