Zichem gets safe walking path through Demerbroeken to writer Ernest Claes's home

Zichem, Belgium, is set to gain a safe and scenic walking route connecting the village center to the preserved childhood home of renowned author Ernest Claes. The new path will also provide access to the local train station and the picturesque Demerbroeken nature reserve, eliminating the need for pedestrians to navigate the hazardous N212 road.

Ernest Claes, born in Zichem in 1885, is celebrated for his novel "De Witte" (The White One). His former home has been a museum since 1967, offering visitors a glimpse into late 19th and early 20th-century rural life and showcasing the author's work.

Currently, the existing walking route to the museum is partially unusable due to marshy conditions in the Demerbroeken area. "Walkers always have to use a section of the N212, a busy road. That is really not safe," stated Monique Swinnen of the LEADER Hageland subsidy program. To address this, sections of the path will be renovated, and a new boardwalk will be built through the marshy terrain, allowing access through the natural landscape.

The project, titled "Walking to Huize Ernest Claes," is part of the European LEADER program for rural development. It is among 25 Hageland projects receiving over 1 million euros in subsidies. While parts of the path are already visible, further work, including the construction of the boardwalk, is required. The plans are finalized, and implementation is set to begin, with completion expected within two years.

“

Walkers always have to use a section of the N212, a busy road. That is really not safe.