RoutesHiking trails & RoutesBelgiumFlandersWest FlandersDiksmuideKortemark
Sint-Dionysius Church – Kruisstraatmolen Werken loop from Zarren
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesBelgiumFlandersWest FlandersDiksmuideKortemark
Sint-Dionysius Church – Kruisstraatmolen Werken loop from Zarren
Moderate
4.4
(23)
145
hikers
Sint-Dionysius Church – Kruisstraatmolen Werken loop from Zarren
02:04
8.18km
20m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
1.13 km
Sint-Dionysius Church
Highlight • Religious Site
Neo-Romanesque hall church, built in 1922-1924, after the previous church, a neo-Gothic pseudo-basilica from 1852, was severely damaged during the First World War.
The very first church on this site dates back to 1112.
Source: Wikipedia
The very first church on this site dates back to 1112.
Source: Wikipedia
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
3.70 km
Kruisstraatmolen Werken
Highlight • Monument
The Kruisstraatmolen, a 3-lofted post mill (one of the few of its kind in Belgium), also known as "Berghe's mill", is the most recent of the 3 windmills that once stood in Werken.
In 1876, baker Bruno Spyckynck built a post grain mill "au hameau Kruysstraet" along the Steenstraat. It was not a new mill, but a mill originating from
Roeselare.
As early as 1882, it was moved 30 metres south-east, away from the Steenstraat, to its current location on a rather low mill hill.
During WWI, the mill remained intact until the final offensive (Sept-Oct 1918), when it was destroyed. In 1921 it was replaced by a 3-loft post mill from 1773 that stood in the
hamlet of Sneppe in Torhout.
During WWII, in 1944, the Kruisstraatmolen was protected as a monument.
In 1948, at the request of the last professional miller André Vandenberghe (1914-1979), the mill was the first mill in Belgium to be equipped with jibs to replace ordinary
wind boards. Jibs, with jibs or flaps automatically controlled by the rotation speed, were an invention of the Dutch engineer P.L. Fauël with the advantages: great tractive force, regular running, no tendency to hollow and fixed position of the mill sail. André Vandenberghe, who came from a real family of millers, kept the mill in operation until 1976.
In 1989, the dilapidated Kruisstraatmolen was purchased by the municipality of Kortemark at the last minute from the widow Vandenberghe-Trio. After all, the city of Bruges had already taken an option to buy it and place it on the ramparts of Bruges.
In 1992, the mill was restored. It was decided not to reinstall the maintenance-intensive forewings, but to opt for the traditional wind boards again. After a good 15 years of inactivity, Werkenzijn had a working mill again.
Since 1992, the voluntary certified master millers of the Wullepitmolen vzw have been working with the Kruisstraatmolen at least once a month.
Due to the gentle restoration of 1992, the mill is still quite authentic. There are quite a few old, mainly 19th century, inscriptions. The year "1773" is even engraved on the stake and on a
attic beam.
The lowest low attic, in which a bolt mill is installed, is called "the hell". Furthermore, in addition to 2 pairs of stones and the bolt mill, there is also an oat crusher and a
stone grinder driven by the wind.
Source: information board on site
In 1876, baker Bruno Spyckynck built a post grain mill "au hameau Kruysstraet" along the Steenstraat. It was not a new mill, but a mill originating from
Roeselare.
As early as 1882, it was moved 30 metres south-east, away from the Steenstraat, to its current location on a rather low mill hill.
During WWI, the mill remained intact until the final offensive (Sept-Oct 1918), when it was destroyed. In 1921 it was replaced by a 3-loft post mill from 1773 that stood in the
hamlet of Sneppe in Torhout.
During WWII, in 1944, the Kruisstraatmolen was protected as a monument.
In 1948, at the request of the last professional miller André Vandenberghe (1914-1979), the mill was the first mill in Belgium to be equipped with jibs to replace ordinary
wind boards. Jibs, with jibs or flaps automatically controlled by the rotation speed, were an invention of the Dutch engineer P.L. Fauël with the advantages: great tractive force, regular running, no tendency to hollow and fixed position of the mill sail. André Vandenberghe, who came from a real family of millers, kept the mill in operation until 1976.
In 1989, the dilapidated Kruisstraatmolen was purchased by the municipality of Kortemark at the last minute from the widow Vandenberghe-Trio. After all, the city of Bruges had already taken an option to buy it and place it on the ramparts of Bruges.
In 1992, the mill was restored. It was decided not to reinstall the maintenance-intensive forewings, but to opt for the traditional wind boards again. After a good 15 years of inactivity, Werkenzijn had a working mill again.
Since 1992, the voluntary certified master millers of the Wullepitmolen vzw have been working with the Kruisstraatmolen at least once a month.
Due to the gentle restoration of 1992, the mill is still quite authentic. There are quite a few old, mainly 19th century, inscriptions. The year "1773" is even engraved on the stake and on a
attic beam.
The lowest low attic, in which a bolt mill is installed, is called "the hell". Furthermore, in addition to 2 pairs of stones and the bolt mill, there is also an oat crusher and a
stone grinder driven by the wind.
Source: information board on site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
3.93 km
Werethatuin
Highlight • Natural
A 'lost' corner of greenery was upgraded in 2022 into "a small Nature Point".
“Too small to play football on, too bare to have a picnic, too boring to look at, too short to contain any life,” is how a Natuurpunt employee described this kind of lost lawns that contain more.
Source: nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220314_95751896
“Too small to play football on, too bare to have a picnic, too boring to look at, too short to contain any life,” is how a Natuurpunt employee described this kind of lost lawns that contain more.
Source: nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220314_95751896
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
4.39 km
Sint-Martinus Church and Pilgrimage Path (Werken)
Highlight • Religious Site
The St. Martin's Church dates from 1947-1950 and was built according to the model of the previous church, which burned down completely during WWII. After all, that church only stood there for 15 years: it was only completed in 1928, after the 17th century church had also been destroyed during WWI.
Going back even further in history: the church (originally from 1145) was also plundered and heavily damaged during the religious wars of the late 16th century.
In 1990, archaeological research was carried out in the church, which also uncovered twelve medieval graves.
The current church is located on a slight elevation and is surrounded by lime trees.
Around the church: an aisle consisting of 7 chapels with polychrome statues.
Source: Wikipedia
Going back even further in history: the church (originally from 1145) was also plundered and heavily damaged during the religious wars of the late 16th century.
In 1990, archaeological research was carried out in the church, which also uncovered twelve medieval graves.
The current church is located on a slight elevation and is surrounded by lime trees.
Around the church: an aisle consisting of 7 chapels with polychrome statues.
Source: Wikipedia
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
4.46 km
Former Town Hall of Werken
Highlight • Monument
Former town hall built in 1920 in a regionalist reconstruction style.
Now private residence.
Now private residence.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
4.49 km
World War I Memorial Werken
Highlight • Monument
To the left of the square in front of the former town hall is a statue of a dying soldier, commemorating the military and civilian victims of the First World War.
The pedestal reads:
"God bless our children" - "For Flanders; for Christ".
Includes the names of 8 soldiers and 12 civilians.
The pedestal reads:
"God bless our children" - "For Flanders; for Christ".
Includes the names of 8 soldiers and 12 civilians.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
5.26 km
Baarlischhoeve
Highlight • Historical Site
As early as 1333, 'Baroudsdamme' is mentioned as a strategic fortification along the then still navigable Handzamevaart. Here was also an unloading place for ships. 'Barsdamme' was a large 'landing' that connected to the road network to Staden and Hooglede. All kinds of goods brought in on the water were offered for sale. The castle was demolished around 1850 and replaced by a farm. This farm was destroyed during the First World War and rebuilt in 1921.
The walled motte (upper courtyard) with farmhouse has been protected as a monument since 2002. The area with the courtyard, and the relief southwest of the house referring to the original figure-eight wall, is protected as a village view.
Source: information board on site
The walled motte (upper courtyard) with farmhouse has been protected as a monument since 2002. The area with the courtyard, and the relief southwest of the house referring to the original figure-eight wall, is protected as a village view.
Source: information board on site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
5.75 km
Wet Meadows of the Handzame Valley
Highlight (Segment) • Natural
The Handzaamvallei is one of the last open spaces in West Flanders where nature and water meet.
The floodable and swampy hay meadows and meadows are a true bird paradise. That is why the Handzaamvallei is protected as a European Bird Directive area. This valley is also worth a visit in terms of plants!
In addition to birds, the typical plants of this valley area are very dependent on this water, especially the large foxtail (early flowering grass that turns the fields from creamy white to purple in May and June).
Source: information board on site
The floodable and swampy hay meadows and meadows are a true bird paradise. That is why the Handzaamvallei is protected as a European Bird Directive area. This valley is also worth a visit in terms of plants!
In addition to birds, the typical plants of this valley area are very dependent on this water, especially the large foxtail (early flowering grass that turns the fields from creamy white to purple in May and June).
Source: information board on site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
8.18 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
2.72 km
2.31 km
1.11 km
1.02 km
599 m
347 m
Surfaces
3.19 km
2.38 km
2.14 km
392 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Saturday 6 June
19°C
13°C
15 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free