The best walks and hikes around Wijchen

Two monasteries and a small church in the small town of Velp.

I read on the column at the front that the architecture resembles that of fairy tales. A beautiful little castle!

The plot of land on which the chapel stands was likely donated to the Benedictine abbey of Keizersweerd near Düsseldorf in 855. Later, it came into the possession of the Benedictine monastery in Valéry-sur-Somme (north of Paris). The name "Walrick" likely derives from this. The monastery property also included two farms. The current chapel dates from the 15th century. A much larger ruin stood there a hundred years ago. Just as excavations were underway and the ruin was about to be restored, World War II broke out. The Allies were not very careful with the ruin, and little remained. After the war, the chapel was partially rebuilt with old stones from the former castle of Balgoij. Architectural history research has revealed that the chapel once had an attic. Presumably, therefore, the building served not only as a house of worship but also as a hermitage.

In the heart of the forests of the Hatertse and Overasseltse Vennen lies the remarkable chapel of St. Walrick and its accompanying fever tree. The site has become a place of pilgrimage, where for centuries people have hung rags in the tree to cure illness. Legend of the fever tree In the 8th century, the robber chieftain Walrick accidentally captured the great preacher Willibrord. Willibrord persuaded Walrick to convert to Christianity, but only if Willibrord cured his sick daughter. This indeed happened, partly because the daughter hung a rag from a piece of clothing in the tree near the chapel. Fever tree The 'fever tree' does not last forever – so it is clear that its healing role must be taken over by a new tree every so often. The current oak is about a hundred years old.

The Hertogswetering is one of the oldest watercourses in the area around Grave and Velp. This long, straight watercourse was constructed in the Middle Ages as part of the drainage system for the Land van Cuijk region. The construction of this watercourse improved the drainage of the wetlands south of the Meuse River and made them suitable for agriculture. The watercourse flows through an open landscape of fields and grasslands and is fed by smaller ditches and springs in the surrounding area. Over the centuries, it has been straightened and deepened several times, but the original character of a classic Brabant watercourse has been preserved. Along the banks, you'll find reed beds, old pollard willows, and several historic farms that owe their location to the watercourse. On hiking trails in this region, the Hertogswetering often forms a tranquil and recognizable landscape element, offering wide views of the surrounding countryside.

A triangle of silence, history, and Brabant monastic culture In the heart of Velp, three striking sites lie almost as neighbors: the Emmaus Monastery, the Bronckhorst Castle Monastery, and the Vincentius Church. Together, they form a compact yet surprisingly rich concentration of religious heritage—a place where Brabant's monastic history is tangible in its stones, gardens, and ancient lanes. The Emmaus Monastery is the largest and most recognizable complex. Built in the early 20th century, the monastery exudes the subdued atmosphere of a time when religious communities still played a central role in village life. The long facades, the walled monastery garden, and the tranquility surrounding the building fit seamlessly into the landscape of Ons Kloosterpad (Our Monastery Path). For years, it was a place of reflection, study, and work rhythm, and that serenity still pervades. A short distance away stands the Bronckhorst Castle Monastery, a striking name that recalls its original purpose. The complex has its roots in an old estate and was later used by religious congregations. Therefore, it has a touch of both a country estate and a monastery. The combination of historic architecture and monastic simplicity makes it a unique transition between secular and religious heritage. In between stands the Vincentius Church, a village church that has been the religious center of Velp for generations. The tower is a familiar silhouette in the landscape, and inside, you'll find the style characteristic of Brabant village churches: modest, yet with attention to detail and tradition. The church forms, as it were, the connecting link between the monasteries and daily village life. Walking here, you move through a small area where three different layers of religious history intersect: the tranquility of monastic life, the allure of an old estate, and the familiarity of the village church. None of these three stands alone; together, they tell the story of Velp as a monastic village—a place where religion, culture, and history blend naturally.

The Van Sasse Pumping Station near Grave is a striking waterworks that plays a key role in controlling the waters of the Meuse River. Built at the end of the 19th century, it forms, together with the nearby locks and dikes, an ingenious system that protects the land behind it from high water levels. The pumping station is named after Cornelis van Sasse, a hydraulic engineer involved in the construction of various Meuse-Rhine projects. The robust brick casing with large round arches and iron details reflects the typical industrial architecture of that period. From the walking route, you have a good view of the water inlets, the discharge pipes, and the heavy metal gates. The entire structure demonstrates how important water management has always been here: without these types of installations, the low-lying areas around Grave would be much more vulnerable to flooding. The pumping station is no longer in use, but it remains a recognizable part of the landscape and a tangible reminder of the battle against the water.

The Vincentius Church, a village church that has been the religious center of Velp for generations. The tower is a familiar silhouette in the landscape, and inside you'll find the style characteristic of Brabant village churches: modest, yet with attention to detail and tradition. The church forms, as it were, the connecting link between the monasteries and daily village life. Walking here, you move through a small area where three different layers of religious history intersect: the tranquility of monastic life, the allure of an old estate, and the familiarity of the village church. None of these three stands alone; together, they tell the story of Velp as a monastic village—a place where religion, culture, and history blend naturally.