Walking around the Haaghoek

Would you also like to take a legendary spin - preferably on two wheels, so that you can hear the entire audience shouting ‘Go Eddy!’ in your mind? Then you’re in the right place in the Flemish Ardennes. Especially near the Haaghoek, where cobblestones cover the road like landmines and form a rattling samba of treacherous booby traps for your narrow wheels. It’s divine! Especially if you can relax afterwards in an excellent restaurant or café with various regional beers on the menu. Man, that’s the life...

Haaghoek is more than just cycling

But... the Flemish Ardennes and the Haaghoek are much more than cobbles and racing. It’s a wonderful combination of nature and culture, of slopes and vistas, landscapes and meadows.

Yes, many cyclists have already tackled the famous cobbled section of the Haaghoek. It’s a fixed component in various spring classics that pass through the Flemish Ardennes. But did you know that the Haaghoek is the street that connects Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke with Zegelsem? The Around the Haaghoek walking route gives you an insight into the most beautiful villages around this iconic spot. Are you ready? Take a stroll instead of a drive!

Church & Path

The start of this loop is the Church of the Assumption in Sint-Maria-Horebeke. This church is planted in the middle of an oval-shaped cemetery.

It's said that there has been a church here since the 12th century, but the current one was built in 1790. It has been protected as a monument since 1997, together with the cemetery wall and the village square.

Let's go! 

Via the unique Ketse path, you make your way to St Cornelis’ Church in Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke. This church path connects the two municipalities in just under 1 km. It’s situated between fields and meadows and goes up and down a bit. The road is almost a straight line.

The 500 inhabitants of the hamlet of Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke are proud of their church. And rightly so! It looks beautiful with its white-painted bricks.

There by that mill

Be forewarned: you will not be spared the occasional steep climb on this hike. You have to climb the Pottenberg so that the Flemish Ardennes can treat you to some beautiful scenery. The Perlinckmolen watermill stands firm here. The watermill site is ancient: it was already there in the 9th century!

Pottenberg and geuteling

A stone’s throw away from the Pottenberg, a museum celebrates the geuteling – an edible piece of heritage. Until the 1930s, it was tradition everywhere in the Flemish Ardennes to bake geutelingen in brick ovens on Candlemas (February 2). To find out more about these peculiar pancakes, visit the Geutelingen Museum. Beware: the delicious, sweet smell of this dessert is irresistible. You should definitely try it yourself!

Sttt.. for the brothers

You may have heard of the Leberg. This street is used in many cycling classics, such as the Tour of Flanders, and it takes you from Elst to Zegelsem. That’s where you can stop and visit the Monasterium Mariakluizen. Brothers have been praying and working there according to the Rules of Saint Benedict since 1982. In separate hermitages, they experience loneliness but, above all, they stimulate their art. There are exhibitions, lectures and concerts on a regular basis.

A refined church

Close to the Monasterium is the St Ursmarus Church. A description of the church was the subject of a whole book in 1983. So the few lines of text you get here cannot possibly reflect the sophistication of the design. There is only one alternative: pay the church a visit.

Fancy a beer or a geuteling?

Every self-respecting walking route in Flanders has one or two outdoor cafés along the way. If you get thirsty at the top of the Pottenberg, there’s good news: a cold beer awaits you at tavern ‘t Hoekse and if you’re hungry you can have a look at their menu. You can also eat a geuteling here!

Maybe you prefer to walk a bit more, no problem. In Sint-Ursumarusstraat (near the Monasterium) you’ll find Den Drijhaard, a cosy pub that serves food.

Pretty mill!

When you find your way back to Horebeke, the Hoogkoutermolen windmill awaits you. This white-painted stone windmill has been watching over the Flemish Ardennes since the beginning of the 19th century.

Welcome for a stroll

The Flemish Ardennes are full of beautiful churches, green hills, cosy cafés and unique attractions. The walk Around the Haaghoek has selected a few gems and bundled them into one route, ready for you to discover. Download the route!