Walking along the Zwalmbeek

Welcome to Little Switzerland. No, you didn’t take the wrong exit. This beautiful part of the Flemish Ardennes is affectionately called Little Switzerland. That’s probably due to the rolling hills, panoramic views and picturesque scenery that you can encounter here non-stop.

Drive towards Streekpunt Zwalm, where this walking route starts. You can do it with kids; the total distance is 13 km, but you can also choose a 5.5 km loop. The latter is probably easier to do with little ones.

Starting at an authentic mill

The authentic watermill has been here since 1040 and occasionally still runs at full speed. It’s definitely worth checking out.

If you want to show your budding little engineers how water management works in these regions, this is the right route for you. At the Zwalmmolen, a water game will teach them how water turns the mill. It’s surprisingly instructive and extremely interesting.

A narrow path, a short climb

That’s enough lazing around; it’s time to use those legs to explore the Zwalmbeek. You will soon notice that water plays a central role here. The unpaved path that meanders along the Zwalmbeek immediately puts you in the right mood. A short climb later, you can admire the church of Sint-Denijs-Boekel.

There’s much more to see in this small village: stately chapels, the Molenberg (which figures prominently in the Tour of Flanders), Vinkemolen and Moldergemmolen. This village oozes history and invites you to discover all its stories.

Back towards Nederzwalm

Have you explored Sint-Denijs-Boekel? Then you'll want to head back downhill towards Nederzwalm, where the Terbiestmolen and the Vanderlindensmolen immediately catch your eye. The first has been converted into the restaurant De Molenaere, with a varied menu that appeals to young and old.

Once you have eaten – or when you’re ready to continue the walk – follow the mill trail. This will lead you back to the starting point via the Zwalmbeek. If you still haven’t had enough of this charming region, there are plenty of activities to do with your little bundles of energy.

You also walk past the Ijzerkotmolen. This mill along the Zwalm closed its doors for a while, but now it’s up and running again, albeit only at weekends. Take a seat on the patio of the old watermill for a sweet treat, a regional beer or a Trappist beer, a bowl of fresh soup or - for those who are hungrier - a croque-monsieur or a homemade sandwich. Ijzerkotmolen dates back to before 1571, and over the course of four centuries, it had different functions: paper mill, oil mill, grain mill and even brewery.

You can always end your day with a drink at the pop-up bar Klein Zwitserland on the banks of the Zwalm. An enchanting location with a terrace overlooking a beautiful pond. If a few raindrops fall, you can easily take shelter in the covered shed.

Why not go away for the weekend?

Zwalm is the perfect location for a romantic escape for two. There are several attractive B&Bs in the area.

Check out B&B De Notelaar, for example. The sauna is already hot. The cosy rooms are decorated with great style. And you can choose the arrangement that suits you best: wonderfully romantic or an adventurous exploration of the region.