Doormansbos

Doormansbos is a small but rewarding woodland and nature area in Herzele, in the South-East Flanders (Zuid-Oost-Vlaanderen) region of Belgium. The forest sits along Ternatstraat, between the center of Herzele and the sub-village of Hillegem, and covers roughly 5 hectares — modest compared to large nature reserves, but a genuinely valuable green pocket for locals who want a quiet walk among trees and meadows without traveling far from home.

Where does the name come from and how did the site develop?

The name refers to the Doorman family, once connected to the land. The area only gained formal protected status fairly recently: in 2016 the municipality of Herzele purchased the first 2 hectares of forest and handed over management to Natuurpunt, the Flemish nature conservation organization. Two years later, in 2018, an additional 3 hectares near Bergafstraat were acquired, bringing the site to its current size. Today the local branch, Natuurpunt Denderstreek, is responsible for maintaining and developing Doormansbos.

What can visitors actually see there?

The landscape is a mix of deciduous forest and wet meadows, threaded by the Doormansbeek stream, which flows in from the direction of Zottegem, crosses near the Herzele railway station area, and eventually joins the Molenbeek river. It's this stream valley — known as the Doormansvallei — that gives the site its character: damp, species-rich riparian ground contrasting with the drier stretches of woodland further from the water.

In November 2019, an important restoration effort took place: ash trees suffering from ash dieback disease (caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) were removed and replaced with around 250 saplings of tree species native to the region, including hornbeam, field maple, wild service tree, small-leaved lime, rowan, sweet chestnut, and black alder. As a result, the forest is gradually regaining species diversity and resilience against further tree disease.

A walking trail, laid out in 2018, runs through the site, guiding visitors past the most interesting stretches of forest and stream valley without requiring them to leave the marked path — a practical consideration given how wet parts of the terrain can get.

What's planned for the future of Doormansbos?

The municipality of Herzele and Natuurpunt intend to expand Doormansbos together with the surrounding Doormansvallei into the town's second nature reserve, alongside the existing Duivenbos. That points toward further land acquisitions, habitat protection measures, and likely additional visitor infrastructure such as benches, information panels, or extra trails for residents and visitors alike.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk dogs in Doormansbos? The site is a publicly accessible nature area managed by Natuurpunt, but specific rules regarding dogs and other pets are best checked on-site or via the local Natuurpunt Herzele branch, since nature reserves often carry restrictions to protect wildlife.

How do you get to Doormansbos? The forest lies along Ternatstraat, between the center of Herzele and Hillegem, easily reachable for residents of the South-East Flanders region. It can be reached by car or by local public transport serving Herzele.

What is the main highlight of the site? The Doormansbeek stream valley — the Doormansvallei — with its damp meadows and mosaic of habitats is the standout feature, along with the visible results of the recent tree-replanting effort, which is giving the forest an increasingly natural, diverse character.