The 5 most popular hiking trails in East Flanders

A forest full of strings and wind players, where there's a one-man orchestra behind every tree? Erm, no, not exactly. The Muziekbos (Music Forest) has nothing to do with music – but everything to do with the Celtic word for swamp. Expect to find a beautiful vast forest here, with slender trees growing to tower above you. You can even walk on the remnants of ancient Bronze Age burial mounds there. Where can you do that, these days?

Get ready for 11 kilometres of enjoying nature, along small roads and unpaved trails in the Flemish Ardennes. Climbing and descending is part and parcel of being in a region with rolling countryside. Walk higher and reward yourself with a breathtaking view of the Trosbeek Valley. The Muziekberg (Music Mountain), however, is your biggest challenge. At 148 metres, this is the undisputed king of the hills.

Resting on the Sinnenbanken

Another thing on the programme: the Geuzentoren (a round stone tower) to be found in the middle of the forest. When poet Omar Wattez climbed it, he exclaimed: "These look like Flemish Ardennes here" – and thus the name of the region was born. Need a break after all that hiking? Then settle down on the Sinnenbanken: beautifully designed rest benches in the shadow of the Geuzentoren.

The Sombeke-Oude Durme hiking trail is a topper that actually consists of two hiking loops: the first loop leads you through the area that runs north of the Durme, while the second explores the southern area along the Durme.

If you combine the two loops, you'll have covered 15 kilometres just like that. These are 15 delightful kilometres that will lead you along path and narrow historic roads, through a mighty castle estate to some phenomenal natural splendour.

Walking along mudflats and salt marshes

See the mud flats and salt marshes of the Durme, experience the tranquillity around the still waters of the Oude Durme and experience some quaint towns such as Waasmunster and Hamme.

In short, a Sunday hiking activity where the legs do the heavy lifting and your head gets all the time it needs to unwind. That's all you need, isn't it?

Another trip you can split into two pieces. The Oude Kalevallei is the area around the – not very surprisingly – Oude Kale. On the winding route: beautiful landscapes, picturesque mills, several castles and villages that you could stay in for days.

Loop one is 7 kilometres long. The hay meadows on your way are interspersed with beautiful rows of trees and ditches that seem plucked straight from an ancient Flemish scene. This natural area will immediately enchant you and give you the calming adventure you need: kilometres of hiking with a clamber over some cattle locks in the middle.

walking through castle villages

Loop two takes you on an 8-kilometre trek past the picturesque villages of Merendree, Vinderhoute and Lovendegem. There, you will discover some masterfully beautiful castles and cosy catering establishments. Walk between rows of pollard willows along the Oude Kale and admire the farmhouses in the landscape. An instant solution to stress and pressure.

This hiking route revolves entirely around Ooidonk Castle. You start at Bachte-Maria-Leerne (Deinze) for a 7.5-kilometre hike, which takes you along fields and roads towards the magisterial moated castle.

Ooidonk Castle is a jewel in the crown of the Lys region – and that's saying something. Created in the 16th century, this imposing structure is set amidst a fabulous castle park. The soothing pond adds an extra magic touch, and the graceful gardens are a model of masterful perfection.

Café at the Lock House

Walk down Ooidonkdreef and be surrounded by ancient lime trees. Step under the Blue Gate and come across the Spanish-Flemish Renaissance castle.

Also on the menu for this hiking trail: Astene lock, a manually operated drawbridge with a café in the lock house. Feel free to wander in for a fresh Schobiak (a Belgian Pale Ale style beer), with some tasty dishes from the house next door.

Goodbye daily stress, hello vast fields and open country! Dive into the tranquillity around Munte and Baaigem. Let yourself be blown away by the gently rolling landscape. Climb a slightly larger slope here and there and experience the tranquillity of Scheldeland, where beautiful walks are an everyday experience.

Do you know Ter Zinkt Castle? This mediaeval castle has an impressive causeway in front of it, several kilometres long. It is one of the attractions of Munte, a village of only 700 residents.

Landscape full of bunkers

This small population contrasts sharply with the 25 bunkers located in the territory. That's one for every 28 residents! They once protected Ghent from the advancing enemy; today, they are quirky sights on an extremely beautiful walking route.

Baaigem is another small and picturesque village, just across the border between Scheldeland and the Flemish Ardennes. The community has been here since the 10th century and will immediately charm you. A little further on, you will also encounter the Makegemse Bossen, a lush forest area near Merelbeke.