ベルラーレのおすすめツーリングルート

On this section, you'll cycle along the old railway bed of line 57. This line ran from Aalst via Oudegem and Dendermonde to Lokeren. It was in use between 1853 and 1957. Heritage signs tell the story of the vanished tracks. Tip for nut lovers: come in the right season to join the locals, armed with gloves and a plastic bag, in gathering nuts.

beautiful cycling

The Kalkenvaart is a waterway between the village of Kalken and the Scheldt River. It runs through the Kalkense Meersen nature reserve and is very popular with anglers, hikers, and cyclists. A wide cycle and walking path runs alongside the canal. Since its dredging in 2022, the Kalkense Vaart has been very clean. You can cross the canal via the Roerdompbrug (Broedomp Bridge) and/or watch for fish swimming by.

A double-headed eagle, installed in 1548, adorns the tower as a symbol of power and vigilance. Inside is a complete carillon of 49 bells, cast by bell founder Sergeys from Leuven. This carillon plays automatically every fifteen minutes and is also played manually during concerts.

Not yet listed as an architectural gem: Het Gulden Hoofd (The Golden Head): A 17th-century facade, now a restaurant and a protected monument. The photos show the wide building "Barley's" with its passageway. The square is the setting for the Ros Beiaardommegang (Carillon Procession) and the Katuit Giants' Procession, both iconic Dendermonde traditions.

The children's statue at the Bogaerd Bridge, officially titled "Dancing Children," is a bronze sculpture by Dendermonde artist Jos De Decker (1912–2000). The statue depicts a girl and two boys holding hands, dancing exuberantly. The children are depicted lively and playfully, giving the statue a sense of joy and innocence. What makes this statue special is the context in which it was erected in 1997: in the aftermath of the Dutroux affair. Instead of focusing on the horror, the choice was made to emphasize the innocence of the victims. The statue was donated by Rotary Dendermonde and was installed at the former Bogaerddam. After the construction of the new Bogaerd Bridge, it was reinstalled in 2015 at the foot of the bridge, in the cobbled area along Kasteelstraat.

I thought the sunflowers among the wildflowers were worth a stop.

The charming café-restaurant 't Oud Brughuys, housed in a characterful building, is a popular stop for those exploring the region. What makes 't Oud Brughuys special is the combination of an authentic atmosphere and a postcard-perfect location. The café opens at noon (from 11:00 AM on Sundays) and closes at 10:30 PM, with closing days on Mondays and Tuesdays.