マレでののおすすめグラベルライド

good gravelride, a few km's, double-track, in the mid of woods and fields, away from habitation, skimming along an old NATO-airfield (never used, cause sand from nearby dunes could be blow up the runways an damage motors, which is a no-go for a military airfield). To gravelride can be extended by several km's to almost the village of Oostmalle by taking the Salphensebaan once arriving in the smal hamlet of Salphen.

De Loteling is nestled in the wooded Zoersel district and offers an oasis of peace and relaxation for those seeking it. Be aware that it can get quite busy here.

More information about this historic farm and the link with Hendrik Conscience and his novel "De Loteling": https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_loteling

Generations of castle lords and the village community have cared for the magnificent heritage we have today. We must cherish this legacy with care. Everyone has a responsibility in this regard: the government, the owners, and certainly also the visitors. We all want to safeguard this for future generations. VORSELAAR: Proposal to protect the castle "de Borrekens", the rectory, the immediate surroundings of the castle, and the linden avenue as a village landmark. The castle was built in the thirteenth century as a military fortification for the Duke of Brabant, granted as a fief to the Lord Van Rotselaer. The latter gave the fortification, which had the character of a moated castle, the ground plan that can still largely be seen today. Little is known about its evolution since the thirteenth century. The castle is depicted in a print by Ertinger in the second half of the seventeenth century and published by Jacques Le Roy. This shows that the current castle's core still largely reflects this condition. The building's military character was lost in the eighteenth century, and it was converted into a "house of pleasure." This involved the demolition of several surrounding walls and defensive towers, and the moat separating the forecourt from the castle was filled in. Simultaneously or shortly before, several embellishments were carried out on the castle, with J.P. van Baurscheit as the architect. The buildings in the forecourt were constructed during the same period. In the 1850s and 1860s, restoration work was carried out in keeping with the fashion of the time. Several dormers, stepped gables, fireplaces, turrets, and battlements were added in the Neo-Gothic style. The interior was also altered during this period and in the same style. Although this renovation significantly altered the castle's appearance, the renovation itself is remarkable as a testament to the Neo-Gothic style that emerged in our region around 1850.

Fantastic singletrack to truly enjoy. Here you can see what to expect from the first section. The second section to the Achtzaligheden (Eight Beatitudes) is not included. This is the first section, approximately 1km: https://youtu.be/VQlDyiAYak0

Where boats have their parking...

In 1914, Baron Alfons van der Straten Waillet inherited the castle. By dividing it among his children, it passed to his 4th son, Baron Jacques van der Straten Waillet, in 1973. In 1978, the castle, which has perfectly preserved its appearance from 1561, was protected as a monument. After the death of Baron Jacques van der Straten Waillet in 1984, the castle was inhabited by his widow, born Countess Christiane de Lannoy, and his sister, Lady Marie-Josephe van der Straten Waillet. After the death of the baroness in 2022, the castle was put up for sale. The asking price was 3.8 million euros. The municipality of Malle decided to purchase the castle after a survey among its residents. This purchase was largely financed by the Kempens Landschap Foundation. Source Wikipedia

In 1695, the last heir of the Cottereau family owed a lot of money to Pierre Farisau, and later to his heir Filips Robijns. In 1702, the castle was claimed by the creditors, but the court returned the castle to Lady Moytray, the widow of the Cottereau. In 1738, her brother inherited the castle and it was sold to the heirs of Filips Robijns. The castle then had the appearance of a fortified castle with a monumental gate, drawbridge, double rampart and forecourt. These heirs sold the castle to Jacques Benoit Pauwens in 1743. The Pauwens family lived in the castle until 1847. In 1829, Baron de Norman renovated the castle. His children sold the castle in 1848 to an Antwerp diamond merchant, Mr Bovie. He renovated the castle and a garden was created by the landscape architect Koelich. From 1874 to 1878 the castle belonged to Louis Geelhand. Baron de Turck de Kersbeeck bought the castle in 1878 and had the building restored and renovated by architect Schadde.