The walk begins in the center of Westerlo, where you'll soon find the banks of the Grote Nete river. The water will guide you as you walk past the impressive De Merode Castle. This magnificent moated castle has been the residence of the de Merode princely family for centuries. As you pass the historic moat, you'll see the castle as a silent witness to the rich aristocratic history that has shaped this region. Once you leave the built-up area behind, you'll follow the meandering Grote Nete and delve into the De Kwarekken and Rothoek nature reserves. The landscape alternates between damp grasslands and mysterious swamp forests. It's the kind of tranquility rarely found these days. After the tranquility of the Grote Nete valley, you'll head to the Asberg, a hill with a rich history dating back to the Iron Age. This gentle rise in the landscape forms the perfect natural bridge between the wild riverside nature and the more structured woodlands that follow. The route concludes in style at the De Beeltjens estate. Here you can stroll through the majestic beech avenues, laid out in the early 18th century by the Marquis of Westerlo. The most impressive section is "De Ster," a central point where eight perfectly straight avenues converge. Under the high, dense canopy of the beech trees, you'll experience a majestic tranquility, the perfect ending to this journey of discovery.