Kalevallei cycling route

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Kalevallei cycling route

Length: 45,9 km
Time: 2u 20m
Terrain: 89% Verhard

Mariahovelaan 2, 9881 Bellem

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Fietsknooppuntenbord

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Extended route description

Cycle from Bellem to Mariakerke past castles and through the Oude Kalevallei. This bike trip will give you a nice variety between nature and culture, tranquillity and bustling villages, and between paved and unpaved roads.

Starting point

Church of Our Lady's Nativity (Bellem)

Bellem

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Bellem

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

You start the cycling route at this church. The oldest part of the church dates from the 16th century. As early as the 13th century, there had been some sort of church on this site. The 19th century saw the greatest expansion of the church, giving it almost its present appearance. During World War II, the church was set on fire; it has since been restored and given its current form.

Node 5-12

Mariahove castle

Mariahovelaan, Bellem

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Almost immediately after you leave at the starting point, you will come across Mariahove Castle on your right. This castle was given its current neoclassical appearance around 1860. The original castle dates back to the 16th century and was owned by the Rijm family from Ghent, which owned the seigniory of Bellem. In 1965, the castle received its current name of 'Mariahove', when it was transferred to the Confederation of Monastic Sisters in the diocese of Ghent. In 2017, the last 2 sisters left the castle and it was sold to a grandson of Baron Guy de Crombrugghe de Picqendaele.

Node 84-75

Schipdonk canal

Schipdonkkanaal, Merendree

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Between nodes 84 and 75, you cross the Schipdonk Canal. This canal runs from Deinze to Zeebrugge, where it runs into the sea. The canal is 56 kilometres long and was dug in the second half of the 19th century to drain excess water from the Lys region. The canal is therefore also called the 'drainage canal of the Lys'. In addition to its original function, the canal is also very useful for shipping.

Node 73

Ter Wallen castle

Ter Wallen Castle was first mentioned as early as 1412. Much has changed about this 'castle' since its original construction. The property is completely moated and is connected to the Kale via a sluice for the drainage of excess water.

Node 47-48

Oude Kalevallei

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Oude Kalevallei

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

With its flowery hay meadows, rows of knotted willows and locks, this valley is one of the Meetjesland's best-preserved natural areas. The Oude Kale meanders through it, which these days is a stream, but it used to rival the Lys. The Kale was connected to the Poekebeek and the Durme, flowing into the Scheldt.

Node 48-55

Van Vlaenderenmolen

Molenslag

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Molenslag

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

The Van Vlaenderenmolen is a corn windmill built in 1905 to replace the wooden post mill. The mill was used until 1958. It has since been converted into housing. The mill on its mill hill and the surrounding area have been protected as a village landmark since 1984.

Node 54-51

Vinderhoute

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Vinderhoute

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Vinderhoute

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Between nodes 54 and 51, you'll cycle through the little village of Vinderhoute. Here, you'll pass by the parish church of St Bavo, the Old Town Hall of Vinderhoute and the Wit Kasteel ('White Castle').

Node 70-80

Van Hoobroeck-Van Ten Hulle Castle and Poeldendries Chapel

Poeldendries, Landegem

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Poeldendries, Landegem

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

On the castle grounds, the meierij ('bailiwick', house of the meier or 'bailiff', official in the service of a lord of the land or village) stood until 1603. The 19th century saw a new castle that was destroyed during the First World War. After the war, it was rebuilt slightly modified. The castle is surrounded by ponds and a park in an English landscape style. In front of the entrance road to the castle is the Poeldendries Chapel. It has been there since 1736, but has changed somewhat over the years. It became a residence during French rule, for example, and during World War I, it was partially destroyed and rebuilt with some modifications.

Node 6- 5

Kraenepoel

Kraenepoel, Aalter

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

The Kraenepoel is a 22-hectare pool. This pool was created along with others in the 13th century by the removal of fieldstones or peat. This also gave it its name; peat was called 'Kraene' or 'Krane' in old Dutch. Later, the shallow pool was also used to farm fish. Since 1957, the Kraenepoel has been a protected landscape.

Kalevallei cycling route