'De Gevel' is one of the loveliest patches of nature I feel most at ease. I go walking here a lot because it's near my parent's house and it's so quiet that only the rattle of leaves fills your ears. Let me warm you up to explore these 2 km² of walking pleasure!
Only since a few years this place is marked as a nature reserve. Before that, there were no man-made walking paths, just untamed wilderness to appreciate. Nowadays Agentschap Natuur & Bos, the governmental nature organization that protects nature, oversees the maintenance and management works. They provided wooden paths to bridge the swampy parts of De Gevel. Because the area is actually one big rich wetland that is covered in water for the whole year (expect very dry days in Summer). So my biggest hint is to bring boots!
The wetland shape shifts in between the seasons. Beige colours and dry reeds during Winter, maybe some frozen pools to waddle through. And green meadows full of meadowsweet, yellow iris, bittersweet and lythrum in Summer and Spring. Bird spotters have a change of seeing different aquatic birds such as cormorants, shelducks and moor hens. I was surprised to hear a cockoo one day.
Sometimes it's a bit hidden between the reeds, but there are two small puddles. One is the home of many frogs. Try sitting on the edge of it and listen to their quacking! You will also find a lot of butterflies nearby.
The name 'De Gevel' translates to facade but I find it a name without honor. Back in the days the area was called 'De Gever', one letter different, and it meant swamp in Germanic. A funny play on words maybe... but I only image ugly facades of houses when I hear it. So who want to sign my petition for a name change?
Trails
There is one loop trail that guides you around the different landscapes. About 40 percent of the trail is on wooden paths and the other part is plain earth or wooden beams covered with earth to reinforce the unstable wet grounds.
The 3 entrances are located at Dijlestraat (house nr. 30), Molenstraat (house nr. 38/46) and Kwellenbergstraat. At Dijlestraat and Molenstraat there are information panel with the trails on (in Dutch). You can also follow the hiking nodes ('wandelknooppunten' in Dutch) 624-623 but they only cover a part of the loop.
From April 1st until July 1st some parts of the trail are closed. Then it's breeding season for birds so their rest must be respected by hikers.
How to get there
By train: take the train to the station of Wijgmaal and walk 40 minutes to Kwellenbergstraat. Fancy a long walk? You can walk through Wijgmaalbroek and past the mill of Rotselaar and start at Dijlestraat.
By bus: bus stops nearby are 'Rotselaar Molen', 'Rotselaar Dorp' and 'Rotselaar Drielinden'. The bus numbers 335 and 333 passes these stops.
By bike: coming from Leuven? Bike through Wijgmaalbroek to get you in the nature mood. Coming from the side of Mechelen/Tremelo/Haacht? Bike through Achterheidestraat.
By car: the 3 entrances don't have parking lots. I suggest parking at the mill of Rotselaar (and definitely take a glimpse at the mill while you are there)
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