The area used to be covered in forest, but only the Brakelbos [nl] to the south of Opbrakel has remained.

[2] The forest has become a 52 hectares (130 acres) nature area and varies in height from 65 to 130 metres.

[3] The village was first mentioned in 866 as villa Braglo, and is a Germanic forest name.

[3][6] In 1963, the municipality borders were corrected based on language, and the neighbourhood of d'Hutte which used to belong to Flobecq was transferred to Opbrakel.

[2] The municipality covered an area of 8.42 square kilometres (3.25 sq mi).