The best running trails around Zottegem

Middenloop Zwalm is the name of the nature reserve, which is more than 100 hectares in size, located east of the mine path, in the direction of Sint-Maria-Oudenhove. You don't always have the Zwalm in view there. You often walk through marshy areas. Boardwalks also make these zones easily accessible. In this nature reserve, you will also find the Boembekemolen visitor centre, from where the Snuitpad Eddy Eikelmuis, a 2.3km long path, starts with exciting audio stories aimed at little ones.

The Saint-Géry Church of Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove is located on a slight elevation with a small churchyard and brick enclosure with fencing. As early as 1172, a church was first mentioned here, when the bishop of Cambrai donated the church to the Mont-Saint-Martin abbey. Perhaps the church was founded much earlier. What is striking about the church - at least, when you step inside - is that it is asymmetrical: on the left (to the north) there is a side aisle (small); on the right (to the south) there isn't... although on that side too, almost diagonally next to the choir, there is also a side altar. That northern side aisle is probably an early Gothic expansion. Like many churches, this one was also damaged by the Gueux during the religious wars at the end of the 16th century, after which, of course, repair work was carried out. In the 18th and 19th centuries, interventions were also carried out several times, both due to necessary repairs and due to expansion and renovation. The beautiful organ from 1870 clearly also needs restoration. source: Inventory of Immovable Heritage

The Sint-Gorikskerk (St. Gaugericus Church) in Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove is located on a slight elevation with a small churchyard and brick enclosure with fencing. As early as 1172, a church was first mentioned here, when the Bishop of Cambrai donated the church to the Mont-Saint-Martin abbey. Perhaps the church was founded much earlier. What is striking about the church - at least, when you step inside - is that it is asymmetrical: on the left (to the north) there is a side aisle (a small one); on the right (to the south) there isn't... although on that side too, planted somewhat diagonally next to the choir, there is a side altar. That northern side aisle is presumably an early Gothic expansion. Like many churches, this one was also damaged during the religious wars at the end of the 16th century by the Gueux (Beggars), after which, of course, repair work was carried out. In the 18th and 19th centuries, interventions were also carried out several times, both due to necessary repairs and due to expansion and renovation. The beautiful organ from 1870 is currently clearly in need of restoration too. source: Inventory of Immovable Heritage

Take a moment to admire the scenery.

Shaded straight road. Ideal when temperatures are over 30 degrees

The Miners' Path is a beautiful, flat path built along the former Zottegem-Brakel-Ellezelles railway line. This railway operated until 1963 and transported miners to the Hainaut coal mines.

The Saint-Gorikskerk or Saint-Gaugericuskerk of Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove (Zottegem) contains Romanesque elements dating back to the 12th century, namely the main nave made of red-brown iron sandstone. The church is dedicated to Saint Gorik of Cambrai (Carignan, ca. 550 – Cambrai, 11 August, ca. 626) and is surrounded by a small cemetery. (Wikipedia)

Originally, there was a single-nave church with a small choir (25 x 8m) in Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove. In the early Gothic period, it was expanded with a northern side aisle, later with an octagonal central tower, which replaced the Romanesque choir, later with a five-sided choir and finally with a northern chapel, which can be seen as a kind of transept arm. During the religious wars, the church was badly damaged and only slowly rebuilt afterwards. During the 18th century, the demand of the inhabitants to build a new and larger church was not met. However, a lot of furniture was purchased and the ceiling was decorated with beautiful stucco work, as can still be seen today. In the 19th century, the spire was restored, a new sacristy was built and in 1928 stained glass windows were installed. Major renovation works were also carried out in the period 1979-1981 under the supervision of A. Bressers (architect) and Bruxelman (contractor), both from Ghent. rNational Archives)