The best traffic-free bike rides around Zwevegem

I did not stop here but I saw the place from the road, with a seat to recover, tables, and so on. Looks like a very nice spot with a very nice view.

Super nice when there are no others to be seen. And doubly pleasant when you have the wind at your back.

The belfry of Tournai is the oldest in Belgium (12th century). The building, which is part of UNESCO World Heritage, is 72 meters high and dominates the Grand-Place. During the ascent of the tower with its 257 steps, one discovers various didactic exhibitions, the prison, the carillonneur's room, and finally the bells which ring every Sunday during the summer (around 3:30 PM). The belfry of Tournai, built in 1192, symbolizes municipal freedoms. Its bell (the “Bancloque”) was used to warn the population of trials, executions, invasions, fires, etc. The belfry served as a watchtower, prison, bell tower, and town hall. You have access to the first terrace, which offers a breathtaking view of Tournai and its surroundings. source: visitwapi.be

What is now the bar and café "El Dorado" was once the freight station of Zwevegem. The "Guldensporenpad" walking and cycling path, along which it is located, runs along the route of former railway line number 83, Kortrijk-Avelgem-Ronse. That line was closed in 1960.

The bridge itself isn't much. There are actually two of the same type just a few hundred meters apart. Both cross the Gaverbeek stream, which runs parallel to the Trimaarzate, the green walking and cycling route on the old Ronse-Kortrijk railway line. The bridges allow you to walk through the grass on the other side of the Gaverbeek (although not yet designated as a walking path on Komoot, it is certainly easily walkable) instead of on the paved Trimaarzate.

As is the case with many chapels, pieces of cloth are tied to the bars of the door (see, for example, the Passjekapel on the Catsberg in Godewaerdsvelde in French Flanders). This refers to a devotion that is actually based on a Germanic tradition: believers come to the chapel hoping for (or in gratitude for) protection and healing from illnesses that cause fever. They leave behind a piece of cloth (bandage, sock, handkerchief, etc.), worn by the sick person.

The Tonte Chapel is a magnificent chapel, largely due to its location: at the highest point in Kooigem, with a number of nearly upright poplars as neighbors. It can therefore be seen from afar. The combination of white paint on the walls and blue woodwork gives the chapel an extra special character. The history of the chapel, which has been a protected monument since 2004, dates back to the first half of the 18th century. The first, smaller chapel was probably built in 1729 but destroyed in 1914, not by war, but by fire following a lightning strike. The current chapel dates from after the First World War. The small chapel was enlarged in 1929 by the residents of the nearby farm. The Tonte Chapel is a popular place of worship, especially in May. Source: Heritage Inventory

Tontestraat (and not 'Tontestraat' as this highlight was originally called) climbs towards Geitenberg, the highest point in Kooigem. There stands the 18th-century Tonte Chapel, which, together with its neighbor, the poplar, forms a landmark in this field-dominated area.