The first herb garden of Leuven (a "pharmaceutical plant garden") was built from 1738 onwards under the impetus of Professor Hendrik Rega (1690-1754) on a site between the Dijle and the Voer rivers, where municipal school for girls number 3 was later built. The only thing you can still see of it (Minderbroedersstraat number 50): the gate.

The second botanical garden—and the current one—was created by the Leuven landscape architect Guillaume Rosseels (1769-1832), under the direction of the German botanist Professor J.F. Adelman. Based on a design by Charles Vander Straeten (1771-1834), court architect to the Prince of Orange.

Translated by

•

Jantje 🇧🇪 🚲🚶🏻‍♂️

March 8, 2025

Hiking

The Kruidtuin in Leuven is the oldest botanical garden in Belgium. The University of Leuven created it in 1738 for its medical students. Lovers of plants and herbs can indulge …

Translated by

•

Jeff S

April 2, 2025

Hiking

Your walk spiced up with plants and images...

Translated by

•

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

Routes here

Best routes to Leuven Botanical Garden (Kruidtuin)

5.0

(5)

hikers

1. Leuven Town Hall – Saint Michael's Church loop from Janseniushof

7.26km

01:52

30m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.3

(13)

hikers

2. Leuven Town Hall – Arenberg Castle loop from Leuven

28.3km

07:17

140m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.8

(6)

hikers

3. View of Park Abbey and Ponds – Park Abbey loop from Leuven

11.2km

02:52

40m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 30 m

Weather

Monday 2 March

16°C

7°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See routes here

Take Me There

Location: Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Great Beguinage of Leuven (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Dijlepark

Heverlee War Cemetery

Sluispark Leuven

View of Park Abbey from the Lake

Tree-Covered Path in Brabantse Wouden National Park

Leuven Botanical Garden (Kruidtuin)

1. Leuven Town Hall – Saint Michael's Church loop from Janseniushof

2. Leuven Town Hall – Arenberg Castle loop from Leuven

3. View of Park Abbey and Ponds – Park Abbey loop from Leuven

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️