Ad's Path

Understand

Ad's Path passes through the forests of Heverleebos and Meerdaalwoud for a total distance of 25 kilometers (shortcuts can reduce this to 16 kilometers). Aside from Wouters' oak wood sculptures, you'll also see two of the oldest trees in the forest and several other worthwhile attractions. The itinerary described below is based on the description you can find on Ad Wouters' web site in Dutch; however, it's not an exact copy. This article is written such that one can either follow the whole route in one go, divide it up into several shorter stretches to enjoy on different days, or jump in by using public transportation. If you're a particularly avid or adventurous hiker, you can even camp at a pair of idyllic but primitive sites near the trail (see below).

Theme The theme of the route revolves around the artwork of Ad Wouters, a sculptor whose work touches on issues of ecology and social consciousness. His familiarity with the materials he would later use in his art, such as plaster and wood, comes from his career in construction, which began when he was 13 and culminated in a period working in the restoration of historic buildings. Unfortunately, his fall from a church tower in a work-related accident ended his days in the construction field, but Wouters used his misfortune as an opportunity to launch himself on a new path as an artist, with a preference for use of recycled materials. On this walk, you'll encounter several of Ad's trademark wooden sculptures. There are more of them in Leuven, as well as a statue of Saint Michael, which appears to be made of metal but is actually hollow polyester (the material also used to make kayaks) coated with bronze (a cost-reduction measure). Wouters prefers to display his sculptures outdoors so as to maximize opportunities for the general public to enjoy his work.

Directional signs

The tourist office of Flemish Brabant has created a network of numbered directional signs all across Zuid-Dijleland (Southern Dyle River Area). These signs are somewhat useful as landmarks for those taking Ad's Path, but they don't direct you along the itinerary from start to finish. And, often the arrows pointing to each numbered sign don

Prepare

Ad's Path leads you through the forests south of Leuven in Belgium, with lots of interesting things to see and do nearby. There are many shortcuts and auxiliary paths that cut across and fan outward from the main loop, and the whole network can be confusing to navigate, so make sure you do have some printed or electronic map to refer to. Whether it be the main path or a shortcut, all the elements of the network are in decent repair and there are only a few low hills to contend with, so light hiking shoes should suffice. However, the route is long and it can occasionally be a little wet underfoot, so if you're not an avid hiker or don't have a lot of time on your hands, bicycling is another possibility.

Eat Food and drink are readily available in Leuven and the villages surrounding the route. Several cafés and restaurants can be found close to the trail, so carrying more than a day’s worth of food is unnecessary.

Drink Tap water is safe to drink throughout Belgium. Water and other refreshments are available in nearby villages and towns. The pump at De Steenberg campground provides non-potable water; potable water can be obtained from Minnebron spring or from nearby sanitary facilities.

Sleep There's a multitude of hotels, hostels and other accommodations in Leuven and other nearby towns. But, if you're dead-set on sleeping in close proximity to Ad's Path (and especially if you plan to break the hike up into two or more days), you can spend the night at your choice of two primitive campsites:

1 De Steenberg campground boasts an idyllic setting about halfway down the trail. Campsites are available free of charge on a first-come-first-served basis, but it bears emphasizing that the water at the pump is not potable. There are two nearby sources of potable water — Minnebron spring as well as a modern sanitary facility — each located about 1.5 kilometers from the campground, in opposite directions. 2 Het Spoor/La Trace campground is a brand-new facility established in the summer of 2014, located about a kilometer south of Ad's Path. To get there by bus, take TEC Bus 18 to Sint-Theresiakapel stop; it's a relatively easy 2-kilometer walk from there via Naamsest

Get in

Leuven, the nearest city, can be easily accessed by train, bus or car. If you're flying, Brussels Airport (BRU IATA) is where you'll want to land: it's just 13 minutes away from Leuven by local train. See Leuven#Get in for more details.

By bus from Leuven There are two public transport services in this part of Belgium — the Flanders Region's De Lijn and the TEC, run by the Walloon Regional Transport Company (Société régionale wallonne du transport). Both can be used to get to Ad's Path. It's always possible to buy a bus ticket directly from the driver, but if you're planning to use the bus more regularly or as a group, it's advisable to get a card to get a lower fare. For De Lijn you have to go to De Lijnwinkel (shop) at the Leuven's railway station or to other participating retailers. Also, if you'll be taking multiple buses, keep in mind that tickets from one transit system are not valid on the other.

De Lijn

Bus 1 or 2 Hikers can get a head start by taking Bus 1 or 2 to the corner of Naamsesteenweg and Leopold III-laan. There is a SPAR shop near this stop, in case you need food or drinks. The buses run very frequently, from Leuven station's 1 Platform 6 (real-time schedule). Continue for about 500m on Naamsesteenweg, then turn right and pass by 2 Brasserie 500 restaurant. After you pass under the motorway viaduct, you'll see the entrance to the Arboretum on your right hand side.

Bus 5 In terms of public transit, Bus 5 (Wakkerzeel—Wijgmaal—Leuven—Haasrode—Blanden—Vaalbeek) is far from the best option for visitors to Ad's Path. You have to get on the bus at 3 Platform 3 of Leuven Station (real-time schedule) and take it to almost the last stop: 4 Brainestraat bus stop in Vaalbeek, just after crossing the express road for the second time. But, since this bus also passes through Heverlee, Haasrode and Blanden, it takes a good while to get to Vaalbeek — and if you're arriving after 18:30, you're out of luck entirely, as it won't go further than Heverlee then. On the other hand, the stop is near one of the best (and hardest-to-photograph) sculptures on the trail: after you get off the bus, make your next left and there you are at Prosperdreef.

Bus 337

Walk

This itinerary begins on Naamsesteenweg, where the E40 motorway crosses over the road. Heading south, you'll see a path that begins on your right just after the viaduct. Turn there, then bear left at the fork in the trail that you'll soon come to. This will take you into the Heverlee Arboretum, which in addition to being a pleasant place to stroll in its own right, is also the site of the first three statues of Ad's Path.

The Director Ad's Path per se starts at directional sign #66 inside the arboretum. Start by following toward #64, but instead make your next left and continue onwards down the shortcut until you see 2 The Director on your right.

Ignatius Continue following the same path; soon it will veer to the right and you'll come to a fork in the road. Hang a left, then make an immediate right. The path you're on now ends at a "T" intersection where you'll find three information panels at your right hand side. Take a closer look between the trees to your left and you'll also see the friendly owl 3 Ignatius — it's easy to miss it, if you don't know it's there.

Neanderthal Turn left at Ignatius, then left again when the path splits, right at the next split, then keep going straight until you see more numbered directional signs. Make a right toward #65 and continue until you arrive at 4 Neanderthal.

Equisetum arvense In 2015 a new cycle path was constructed parall