Berchembos

Berchembos is an eight-hectare deciduous forest in the municipality of Roosdaal, in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, lying just south of the hamlet of Poelk, part of the village of Pamel. The site is managed by the nature conservation organisation Natuurpunt (Roosdaal branch), with Marc Vloeberghen and Rik Van Nuffel acting as its local conservators. Despite its modest size, the forest carries considerable ecological and landscape value, making it one of the more interesting corners of the wider Pajottenland region.

Where does the forest come from?

Berchembos is a surviving remnant of the ancient Kolenwoud, a much larger forest that once covered this part of Flemish Brabant some two thousand years ago. Over the centuries, most of that original woodland was cleared for farmland and settlement, leaving Berchembos as one of the few fragments still standing. Ecologically, it now functions as a stepping stone connecting to the neighbouring Neigembos, allowing plant and animal species to move between the two larger wooded areas rather than remaining isolated.

What does the landscape look like?

The terrain inside Berchembos is distinctly undulating, marked by steep slopes and numerous springs emerging from the hillsides. It is here that the Berchembosbeek stream has its source; after leaving the forest, it flows into the Wolfsputbeek, itself a tributary of the river Dender. The forest also preserves the Postkoetsweg, a deeply sunken hollow way — a type of route typical of the Pajottenland landscape, gradually carved into the soft loess soil over centuries of use by pedestrians, riders, and carts.

What plants grow here?

Berchembos qualifies as a deciduous forest of high natural value. In spring, the forest floor around its springs turns into a carpet of wood anemone and bluebell (wood hyacinth), species typically associated with old, consistently moist deciduous woodland with a stable microclimate. Beyond the forest itself, the broader Natuurpunt site also includes valuable grasslands, high-stem orchards, and small landscape features such as hedgerows and field margins, together forming a mosaic of habitats that supports biodiversity.

How is Berchembos maintained?

The forest is looked after through regular volunteer work organised by Natuurpunt. Management activities are concentrated mainly in winter and include clearing brambles that would otherwise overtake the footpaths, pollarding willows near the pond to keep the trail open, tending the orchards, and checking and repairing the fencing around the grazed meadows. This ongoing upkeep helps balance the site's wild character with continued accessibility for visitors.

Can you walk through Berchembos?

Yes — the area is a popular destination for walkers. A well-known circular route links Berchembos with the adjacent Neigembos and the local hollow ways, covering roughly 11.4 kilometres and taking about three hours to complete. The trail passes through varied terrain, from dense forest to open farmland and from steep slopes to spring-fed hollows, making it an appealing option for anyone interested in nature and the historic landscape of the Pajottenland.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Berchembos located? South of the hamlet of Poelk, part of the village of Pamel in the municipality of Roosdaal, Flemish Brabant, Belgium.

How large is the forest? About eight hectares.

Who manages the site? The nature conservation organisation Natuurpunt, Roosdaal branch.

What is the forest's main natural highlight? Its spring-fed carpets of wood anemone and bluebell, along with the deeply incised Postkoetsweg hollow way.