Essestraat 2, 9688 Maarkedal
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Preview waypointsWander through forests, at the edge of the language border.
This sub-municipality of Maarkedal is the starting point for the will o' the wisp walking route, which brings you tantalisingly close to the language border. The village consists of around 20 hamlets with names that are equally evocative: Koekamer, Annoven, Bosgat and Marquette, to name just a few. Schorisse is also the only place in Flanders where the church is not in the centre: in fact, it's situated on the northwestern part of the village.
Between Het Foreest and the Ganzenberg - two popular climbs with cycling enthusiasts - lies the Romanshof, a former monastery farmstead. The striking chapel on the corner has been entirely dedicated to the Tour of Flanders since 2011. On the right side, the names of all the winners are carved in granite. On the left wall is a drawing of a Flandrien, modeled after local cycling hero Peter Van Petegem.
If you deviate from the route for a moment you'll find nature reserve Het Burreken - a colourful mix of wooded ridges and tender grasslands. It is one of the most picturesque spots in the Flemish Ardennes. The name is derived from the word 'borre', meaning spring, and that's no coincidence. You'll come across springs and streams everywhere here. As a result, there are noticeably large differences in the relief in Het Burreken. Parts of Het Burreken are grazed by Galloway cattle and Exmoor ponies, who therefore help with the ecological management of the area. Less visible but just as unique is the endangered fire salamander, which lurks near spring streams and pools.
Once across the language border, we almost immediately find ourselves in the Brakel forest on the flank of 'Mont de Rhode' or Modderode. The fast-flowing Sassebeek that finds its source here is home to rare fish species including bullhead and brook lamprey, which indicates that the water quality is excellent. In spring, the forest is full of blue-purple wood hyacinths.
La Houppe - or D'Hoppe in Dutch - is a hamlet on the northern wooded flank of the Pottelberg. You'll find quite a few cafes and restaurants. At 't Barakske - a kind of alpine chalet that always offers a warm atmosphere - you can go for a classic entrecote with fries. Across the street, Chalet Gerard welcomes you with a wide selection of snacks and local dishes. Both have Quintine on the menu: ideal for a quick break, whether on the terrace in the sun or not.
Between checkpoints 6 and 52, you'll go past the Chapelle Saint-Christophe and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, en route to Bos-ter-Rijst.
These days, Bos-ter-Rijst is an elongated strip with a footpath in the middle, but 300 years ago it was part of a dense and extensive forest - the Bois du Roi - that stretched across Koekamer, Schorisse, Brakel and Flobecq.
Bosgat is a hamlet on a hill known in the cycling world as the Kaperij. In 1788, the inn of the same name was one of the hotbeds of the fierce Boer rebellion against the then powers-that-be, and their taxes. When the uprising reached the town of Oudenaarde, a sizeable force had to be drafted in to restore calm. At the top of the hill is a terrace-shaped look-out with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Centuries ago, the trail along the Maarkebeek offered views of the moated castle of the Lords of Schorisse. Old engravings show the castle, surrounded by water and ornamental gardens, in all its grandeur. The water mill at the end of the trail has been owned by the Vanderdonckt family since 1906, now the 5th generation owners. The mill is protected as heritage and is still operational. You can visit it upon request.