Cotthem hiking route

Sint-Lievens-Houtem's Market Square is the second largest in Flanders. Under the covered market hall, you can stock up on groceries every Saturday afternoon, but drop by on Nov. 11 and 12. That's when thousands of visitors descend here for the Joarmort Outem, a centuries-old winter fair where cattle farmers with their cows and horses stand side by side with numerous fairground attractions. A historic procession centered around the legend of Saint Livinus traditionally kicks off this well-known annual fair on Nov. 10.

Houtem's Annual Fair has been on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for many years. Fun fact: under the market, in November 2019 archaeologists excavated the centuries-old skeleton of a performing monkey.

A little further on you bump into De Romein (The Roman), a 3-metre-tall bronze colossus looking toward the Oude Heerweg (Roman Highway). That's no coincidence, as this road was once part of the extensive network of Roman roads. Caesar's drilled army even passed through here, during his conquests through our lands.

In café De Pikardijn near the Mariagrot of Cotthem, well hidden among the greenery, they serve food and more than 200 regional beers. Are you also peckish after your walk? Then delve into the menu of local dishes, including, from time to time, an unmissable 'hutsepot' from the house.