Kordaal hiking route

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Kordaal hiking route

Length: 6,3 km
Time: 1u 15m
Terrain: 66% Verhard

Nokeredorpstraat, 9771 Nokere

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Kordaal routebord

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Extended route description

Most people know the village of Nokere from the 'Nokere Koerse', a semi-classic fairground race for up-and-coming talent on the left bank of the Scheldt River. But there's more to this beautiful region than meets the eye. Feel like a walk that’s not too long and offers you a perfect combination of nature, culture and a beautiful picturesque village at the edge of the Flemish Ardennes? We’ve found it!

Starting point

Nokere

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Nokere has been part of the municipality of Kruisem since 2019, following the merger of the municipality of Kruishoutem with nearby Zingem. Since 1944, a string of young talent has raced through the village here every year, during the semi-classic 'Nokere Koerse'.

There are two castles in Nokere, which unfortunately you can't visit, but you will get a glimpse of during this walk. About half way along the route you'll take the forest road 'between the two castles'. A picturesque view of the classical Casier Castle awaits you there, in the middle of a small lake and a beautiful 12-acre landscape park. A little further on is the de Bonneval Castle, unfortunately largely hidden behind a brick wall and thick vegetation.

Ter Wolfshaeghe

In the middle of the fields in Nokere, you'll go past Hof ter Wolfshaeghe, one of the oldest farms in the village. In the 16th century, fallow fields in the unpopulated countryside were a breeding ground for vermin, and therefore the preferred habitat of wolves. To protect their cattle, farmers planted thorny hedges. This farm owes its name to one of these 'wolfshagen' (wolf hedges).

Kordaalbos

Rudy Vande Voorde

Kordaalbos

Rudy Vande Voorde

Nokere

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

The unique but rather small Kordaal Forest is open to hikers year-round. You'll find rare plants including great horsetail, primrose, kingcup and wild hyacinth. Birds such as buzzards and little owls come to nest here. And if you hear a loud rhythmic hammering noise in the background, it could well be a green or spotted woodpecker. These are also a permanent presence in the Kordaal Forest. The extremely meandering Kordaalbeek (brook), which rises 1 km east, traverses the forest from east to west.

Kruiden Claus

Lovers of fresh herbs, rare varieties of strawberries, forgotten vegetables and edible flowers are sure to come back by car after their walk, to pop into Kruiden Claus. This family herb business has been active since 1900. You'll see their greenhouses as you exit the last stretch of the Kordaal Forest, in the last quarter of the route. Keep in mind that Kruiden Claus is only open on Fridays and Saturdays.

If you're thirsty and looking for a cozy place to quench it, why not try café Handelshuis (Nokere) or in one of the surrounding villages. A long-standing restaurant is the bustling village cafe 'In de Kroon', in Mullem, where they serve food and drink in the antique tap room, or in the garden.

Kordaal hiking route