It extends over an ancient charcoal forest area, where charcoal was produced in Roman times. Thick clumps of beech trees cover the former hunting area, scattered with abbey remains, of this rolling countryside with valleys such as the romantic Groenendael. This site dotted with lakes was famous for its abbey (14C-18C), where the 14C mystic J. van Ruusbroec lived. There are many public footpaths.