Autumn pilgrimage to Westmalle Abbey
A five-day pilgrimage in silence through the Dutch-Belgian borderlands to the Trappist monastery of Westmalle, with two days inside the rhythm of the abbey.
From to you walk in five days to the silence of the Trappist monastery of Westmalle. For three days you walk, largely in silence, through the nature reserves of the borderlands; for two days you live within the centuries-old rhythm of the abbey.
You do not walk empty-handed: you carry a question with you. Something in your life that is waiting for an answer, and that you give room to along the way, step by step. Autumn is the right season for it. The year is drawing to a close, and what you want to carry into the darker months now deserves a clear choice.
to · from the Brabant borderlands to Westmalle Abbey · €795 until 1 September 2026, then €845 · maximum eight participants
Walking through nature through very diverse landscapes and atmospheres, the beautiful light through the trees, the wind, being guests with the Trappist order in an oasis of silence, joining the monks… The Pilgrimage has so many different elements in it, and precisely that makes it a very special experience for me. In a short time a close-knit group formed and I thoroughly enjoyed doing this together with them. Thank you for this wonderful journey.
—Fran
The form of a pilgrimage
People have walked to sacred places for thousands of years. What makes a journey a pilgrimage is not the distance or the effort, but the relation between three things: the path, the question you carry, and the place you are walking towards.
The path does the first work. Body and mind fall into the same rhythm, thoughts get room to arise and let go, and after a few hours of walking the silence comes of itself. The question does the second work: you do not have to solve it, only keep it with you while the landscape changes. Along the way the question itself may change, and often that is precisely the answer you needed.
The destination does the rest. Westmalle Abbey is not a backdrop but a living community where people have kept silence, worked, and prayed for more than two centuries. Arriving at a place formed by so many years of silence does something no walk on its own can do.
You do not need to be religious to walk along. The journey only asks a willingness to receive the silence, the rhythm, and the hospitality of the monastery with respect.
The movement of the five days
Three days of walking
We gather on Wednesday morning at a nature campsite in the Brabant borderlands; after registration you receive the exact starting location and directions. In three days we walk at an unhurried pace, about twenty kilometres a day, through the woods, heathland, and fens along the border of the Netherlands and Belgium.
Every morning begins with movement and meditation. During the day we walk largely in silence; at the breaks we give you a contemplation or question for the next stretch of the path. In the early evening we break the silence: we set up camp together, cook together, and share what the day has shown.
We camp for two nights at small nature campsites along the route. Sven and I prepare the shared breakfasts and dinners and dry the meals in advance, so the weight stays light and divided. Along the way you also gain the experience to walk longer journeys yourself.
Two days in the monastery
On the third day we arrive at the abbey. For two days you live in the deep silence of monastic life, with your own room and bathroom and all meals provided.
You are free to follow your own rhythm, as long as you respect the silence. You can join the fixed prayer times of the brothers, who gather in the chapel throughout the day to sing and be still. You can also rest, write, read, or walk the grounds. Those who wish can request a conversation with one of the brothers.
On the last day we leave after lunch and slowly walk back into ordinary life. By the end of the afternoon we return, partly by public transport, to our starting point and each go our own way.
The Benedictine spirituality
The brothers of Westmalle live by the Rule of Benedict, written in the sixth century and to this day the foundation of monastic life. The Rule is not about grand mystical experiences. Benedict sanctifies the ordinary: attention to small things, a good rhythm of work, rest, and prayer, and the ability to begin again every day.
Three principles form its heart:
- Stabilitas: staying, not walking away when it becomes uncomfortable.
- Conversatio: beginning again with the good, every day.
- Oboedientia: listening attentively and daring to act on what you hear.
In the rhythm of walking and the order of the monastery these principles take on meaning, and along the way we explore what they could carry in your own life and work. They do not ask for monastery walls; they ask for attention.
Practical information
Who it is for
The journey is accessible with an ordinary level of fitness. We walk at a calm pace and take generous breaks; you do not need to be trained. It does help to take a few longer walks beforehand, so your shoes and your body are used to it.
Silence takes getting used to, for almost everyone. It is uncomfortable to give thoughts room without immediately filling them with distraction, and precisely in that discomfort what asks for attention comes to the surface. Sven and I guide you in this, and in the evenings there is room to share experiences.
What to bring
A lightweight tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, some clothing, a water bottle, and lunch for the road. After registration you receive a complete packing list, and we coordinate in advance who carries which part of the shared food, matched to your condition. If you are unsure about anything, do get in touch.
Costs
Participation costs €795 until 1 September 2026 and €845 thereafter. This includes:
- the three-day walk guided by two guides;
- two nights at nature campsites along the route, with breakfast and dinner;
- two nights at Westmalle Abbey, with your own room and bathroom and all meals;
- guidance in translating what the journey shows you into your daily life.
There is room for a maximum of eight participants, so the group stays small enough for silence and real encounter.
Five days of being together, partly in silence, conviviality, camaraderie, nature and celebrating that which is greater than us. With this pilgrimage Sacha and Sven have made a special combination of walking, camping and staying with the monks. It was an unforgettable experience and a challenging journey, from which I learned and thoroughly enjoyed. Grateful for the guidance, beautiful words and pure presence.
—Andrea
Not sure whether the journey fits you? Do get in touch, and we will explore it together in a short conversation.
Guidance
The pilgrimage is guided by Sacha Post and Sven Signe den Hartogh.
Sacha is a writer and wilderness guide and the founder of Nature of Wonder. Since 2018 he has guided retreats, pilgrimages, and rewilding journeys in which nature, silence, and the seasons open room for reflection. Along the way he carries the philosophical and contemplative deepening and carefully prepares the periods of silence. Read more about Sacha’s work.
Sven is a writer, artist, and contemplative walker. He is at home in the monastic tradition and carries the practical leadership and the contact with the abbey along the way. What he calls walking in love colours how he walks and guides: simple, attentive, and faithful. Read more about Sven’s work.
Would you rather get to know the work quietly first? The weekly letter is a good place to begin.