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Natural Monuments

Tiense Groef

Natural Monuments

Tiense Groef

Highlight • Historical Site

Tiense Groef

Recommended by 10 hikers out of 12

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 Tiense Groef

4.7

(9)

101

hikers

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

16.7km

04:25

150m

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

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Intermediate

4.7

(11)

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2. Boardwalk at Grootbroek – Beech Avenue in Meerdaalwoud loop from Sint-Joris-Weert

23.2km

06:09

230m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

4.6

(8)

hikers

3. Warandevijver – De Heide Forest Reserve loop from Nethen

12.6km

03:19

110m

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

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Intermediate

Tips

July 3, 2024

Around here you see what looks like some kind of valley. The deep ditch is sometimes above ground and sometimes underground. Generally accepted explanation of the phenomenon that you might not even notice if it weren't for the information board: there was once a local Roman road here.

Official: "The so-called 'Tiense groove' is a rectilinear ditch that runs straight through the forest from West to East. It is a witness to a completely different era in the history of the forest. In some places it is above ground than in others places suddenly dive up to three meters deep into the ground again. One hundred years ago, archaeologists first conducted scientific research into the unique phenomenon. Some saw it as a funerary road from the Stone Ages, others as an exploitation road for iron mining, but today it is generally accepted. that we are dealing with the route of a local Roman road, a diverticulum. The Romans liked to bury their dead along the road, and the presence of 7 tumuli or Roman burial mounds along the groove also support the theory groeb, Tiense groove or Oude Tiensche weg give us a hint that this road was the connection with the Roman vicus of Tienen. Outside the forest the road was integrated into later paths and streets, but in the forest it fell out of use. We don't know exactly when, but it is certainly not marked on any historical map. Finds of ceramics, roof tiles and building materials also suggest the presence of a Roman farm, a so-called villa rustica, along the road. The fields belonging to this villa stretched across the southeast side of the forest. Archaeological and soil science research has shown that the forest was intensively used as an agricultural area in Roman times." And you can read that at onroerenderfgoed.be/archeologische-fietstocht-heverlee

The Tiense Groef is also where the play bridge with nets is located. Ideal for playing the Gaul.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 140 m

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Thursday 6 November

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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

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Tiense Groef

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

2. Boardwalk at Grootbroek – Beech Avenue in Meerdaalwoud loop from Sint-Joris-Weert

3. Warandevijver – De Heide Forest Reserve loop from Nethen

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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