ズウェーフェゲムのおすすめMTBライド

Cobbled road with a view of Mont-Saint-Aubert (for those walking/climbing northwards) or Cain and Tournai (for those walking/descending southwards).

When you begin the climb to Mont-Saint-Aubert in Goudinière (near the square farm La Cense des Sources), the path initially leads through meadows. The final section runs through the forest. This section is a bit more challenging, partly because it's a bit steeper, and partly because it can be quite slippery. This combination can be treacherous in wet conditions.

The bridge itself isn't much. There are actually two of the same type just a few hundred meters apart. Both cross the Gaverbeek stream, which runs parallel to the Trimaarzate, the green walking and cycling route on the old Ronse-Kortrijk railway line. The bridges allow you to walk through the grass on the other side of the Gaverbeek (although not yet designated as a walking path on Komoot, it is certainly easily walkable) instead of on the paved Trimaarzate.

As is the case with many chapels, pieces of cloth are tied to the bars of the door (see, for example, the Passjekapel on the Catsberg in Godewaerdsvelde in French Flanders). This refers to a devotion that is actually based on a Germanic tradition: believers come to the chapel hoping for (or in gratitude for) protection and healing from illnesses that cause fever. They leave behind a piece of cloth (bandage, sock, handkerchief, etc.), worn by the sick person.

The Tonte Chapel is a magnificent chapel, largely due to its location: at the highest point in Kooigem, with a number of nearly upright poplars as neighbors. It can therefore be seen from afar. The combination of white paint on the walls and blue woodwork gives the chapel an extra special character. The history of the chapel, which has been a protected monument since 2004, dates back to the first half of the 18th century. The first, smaller chapel was probably built in 1729 but destroyed in 1914, not by war, but by fire following a lightning strike. The current chapel dates from after the First World War. The small chapel was enlarged in 1929 by the residents of the nearby farm. The Tonte Chapel is a popular place of worship, especially in May. Source: Heritage Inventory

Tontestraat (and not 'Tontestraat' as this highlight was originally called) climbs towards Geitenberg, the highest point in Kooigem. There stands the 18th-century Tonte Chapel, which, together with its neighbor, the poplar, forms a landmark in this field-dominated area.

The mill is now open to the public. If you see the blue flag flying, you can enter. You can also arrange a visit by emailing gavers@west-vlaanderen.be or calling 056 23 40 10.

The Koutermolen is a wooden post mill that stood from the early 19th century until 1982, about 300 meters from its current location. Fate struck twice: in 1892, the mill burned down completely, and in 1917, the Germans demolished the newly constructed mill to build an airfield. After the First World War, the Deerlijk State Mill was moved to the site of the Koutermolen. In 1948, the mill stopped operating and fell into disrepair. The Province of West Flanders purchased it in 1978 for the symbolic sum of one franc with the aim of restoring it and transferring it to the De Gavers Provincial Estate. It was fully restored according to the building plan of the old Koutermolen. The restored Koutermolen was inaugurated on September 19, 1987. Thirty years later, a thorough renovation of the outer shell was again necessary. The mill was fully restored in 2021. The mill was officially opened in April 2022 and stands proudly on its 7-meter-high mound, a guardian of the estate. Source: westvlaanderen.be