Stokrooie, Houthalen and Kolveren

It is an area with small water plots, forests, fields and pasture, separated by hedgerows. There are a number of beautiful plants growing in the area such as the common Solomon's seal, lily of the valley, valley herb and wood anemone. The area is 30 hectares and is managed by the Limburgs Landschap VZW. The name comes from ditsekolf, a common name for the cattail. During your tour you will come across Herkenrode Abbey, an imposing abbey whose construction started around 1179. In 1217, Herkenrode became the first women's abbey of the Cistercian order in the Netherlands. The abbey grew into a popular place of pilgrimage and enjoyed a period of great prosperity until the French Revolution. In 1796 the sisters were forced to leave and in 1820 the abbey church, the cloister and a large part of the original buildings disappeared due to fire and demolition. Nowadays you will find an experience center, a shop and an incredibly beautiful inspiration garden at the Herkenrode Abbey.