Why 350 sheep are strolling through Belgium as part of a relay

A flock of 350 sheep has embarked on a leisurely journey through Belgium, as part of a European shepherd's relay. The sheep, led by father and son Johan and Toon Schouteden, along with their dogs and a team of helpers, are walking at a slow pace of approximately three kilometers per hour. They departed from Diest at 8:30 am on Monday, October 5, with the destination being Kortenaken, where they will take a break for lunch and rest.

The walk is part of the European Shepherds' Walk, an initiative to raise awareness for shepherds, originating from an idea by German shepherds. The sheep began their journey from the Achelse Kluis, a Trappist abbey near the Dutch border, where a Dutch shepherd handed over the shepherd's staff to a Flemish one. The sheep are expected to travel through Luxembourg and Germany before concluding their journey in Hannover.

Shepherds are becoming increasingly rare, with only about fifteen working full-time in Belgium. The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, prompting the walkers to urge politicians to create space for shepherds. These grazing animals play a crucial role in soil carbon storage and wildlife conservation. The public can track the sheep's journey live at herderstocht2026.be, but it may take some time.