Erpe: Nature, Mills and Medieval Traces

Erpe can be explored through several specific attractions. When looking for a holiday apartment in Erpe, it therefore helps to consider which themes you want to shape your stay: De Motte brings medieval history into focus, Honegem stands for an extensive natural landscape, and the mills along the Molenbeek combine water, technology and village history. A hike adds a clearly described route to these impressions.

De Motte: Medieval History with Striking Dimensions

The De Motte site is located at Dorpsstraat 53 in Erpe. De Motte is a medieval, artificially constructed motte site on which a castle had been built. Its dimensions make the site particularly tangible: the circumference at the base is 220 metres, at the top it is 115 metres, and its approximate height is 16 metres. Those interested in historic sites will find a readily understandable starting point here for considering Erpe's past through the shape, size and function of a site.

Honegem and the Landscape of the Peat Diggings

The Honegem nature area covers more than 200 hectares. Honegem is part of the protected Honegem-Solegem-St-Apollonia landscape. The peat diggings in Erpe are located in the centre of Honegem. This makes the landscape a clear contrast to the architectural and historical features of De Motte. When planning your trip, you can decide whether the accommodation should primarily provide a base for observing nature and exploring peacefully, or whether you would prefer to focus on historic sights and hiking experiences. The size of the nature area makes Honegem a subject in its own right for a stay, without requiring individual visits to be combined into a single route.

Watermills along the Molenbeek

The history of the mills is also represented by several different structures. The Cottemmolen is an overshot watermill on the Molenbeek. A sluice and an iron waterwheel have been preserved; since 1986, the Cottemmolen has been protected as a monument and as part of the village view. A hiking trail also runs along the Molenbeek at the Cottemmolen.

The Van der Biest watermill was built in 1636 to replace an earlier mill. The Van der Biestmolen is a grain watermill with a metal overshot waterwheel on the Molenbeek. The two mills therefore represent different historical points of interest: here, the focus is on the use of water; there, additionally, on the function as a grain mill and the building history dating back to 1636.

Hiking and Smaller Cultural Details

The Trage Trappers Erpe hike begins and ends at the Avondzon residential and care centre at Botermelkstraat 12, 9420 Erpe-Mere. There are parking spaces and sanitary facilities at the care centre. These specific details make it easier to plan your own day of hiking. As an additional historical detail, it is also worth looking at the Kapel Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Bijstand, a small Baroque chapel made of bluestone dating from 1770.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

In Erpe, it makes most sense to choose a holiday apartment or holiday home based on the character you want your days to have: nature enthusiasts can make Honegem and the peat diggings their main focus, while those interested in history can orient themselves towards De Motte, the chapel and the mills. Anyone who enjoys travelling on foot can plan the Trage Trappers Erpe hike as a separate activity. For a wider selection of nearby places, you can also visit Erondegem.

For the overarching travel overview: Erpe-Mere.