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Natural Monuments

Tomberg Hill and Bench

Natural Monuments

Tomberg Hill and Bench

Highlight • Viewpoint

Tomberg Hill and Bench

Recommended by 59 hikers out of 60

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden

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Location: Oud-Heverlee, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Tomberg Hill and Bench

4.6

(100)

762

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1. Tomberg Hill and Bench – Speelbos Everzwijnbad loop from Oud-Heverlee

18.6km

04:57

190m

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

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Intermediate

4.6

(106)

774

hikers

2. Tomberg Hill and Bench – Tomberg - Bench with Gazebo and a bit of view loop from Sint-Joris-Weert

15.3km

04:03

140m

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

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Intermediate

4.4

(23)

108

hikers

3. Tomberg Hill and Bench – Tomberg - Bench with Gazebo and a bit of view loop from Vaalbeek

7.91km

02:03

50m

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

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Intermediate

Tips

July 3, 2024

The Tomberg is the second highest place in the forest (102 m). It is not a prehistoric burial mound (or tomb) as our ancestors thought, but a natural elevation, a dune mound that millions of years ago, together with the Mommendeel mound, actually protruded above the sea at that time. It is here that the illustrious forest court sat for hundreds of years. In the Middle Ages, every free man was in principle allowed to hunt without restriction in forests, meadows and swamps. The big exception were the free forests, the private forests of the dukes. Meerdaalwoud was such a free forest and hunting rights belonged exclusively to the Duke of Arenberg. At first the forest court was itinerant and justice was administered in the various villages. Later, a special building was erected here on the Tomberg for the court hearings. Later still, a hearing was held at Heverlee castle. The punishments were not lenient, but it is thanks to that forest justice that the forest still exists today and has not been sacrificed to the needs of the farmers and citizens in the area. The forest right came to an end with the arrival of the French in 1795. You can read this - and much more - at onroerenderfgoed.be/archeologische-fietstocht-heverlee

Translated by Google •

July 3, 2024

On top of the dune hill that is the Tomberg you will find a - currently partly broken - bench around an ever-growing tree where you can sit under. There is an information board and you are surrounded by heathland, a piece of grassland, sandy roads and during this period a beautiful sea of ferns.

Translated by Google •

Jeff S

July 9, 2024

Here you already have the feeling of the Ardennes...

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Informations

Elevation 150 m

Weather

Today

Friday 24 October

11°C

9°C

70 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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Location: Oud-Heverlee, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

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Tomberg Hill and Bench

1. Tomberg Hill and Bench – Speelbos Everzwijnbad loop from Oud-Heverlee

2. Tomberg Hill and Bench – Tomberg - Bench with Gazebo and a bit of view loop from Sint-Joris-Weert

3. Tomberg Hill and Bench – Tomberg - Bench with Gazebo and a bit of view loop from Vaalbeek

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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