Munkzwalm

Nowhere can you better discover the charm of a watermill than along the Zwalm. You just need to follow the path along its lower course and string a series of watermills together. The walk consists of two loops that can be traversed independently of each other. If you prefer a more hilly terrain, choose the second loop along the tributaries Zwedebeek and Molenbeek. You will then mainly be walking in the area of Velzeke-Ruddershove. Both loops start at the Zwalm mill.
DEPARTURE POINT
From the E17, take exit 8-De Pinte and follow the N60 towards Oudenaarde. After 7 km, turn left onto the N439 via Gavere towards Zottegem and Zwalm. 4 km past Gavere, turn right and after another 1 km take the N415 towards Brakel. After 2 km, the road changes to the N46, and 250 m further, turn right onto the N415 to Brakel. In both cases, turn left onto Krekelstraat after 1.3 km. After 700 m, take a sharp right onto Rekegemstraat until you reach the Zwalm bridge.
PARKING
Parking lot of the tourist office to the left before the Zwalm bridge.
TYPE OF ROAD
Paved paths along the Zwalm; gravel and dirt paths along the Molenbeek; otherwise, low-traffic asphalt, concrete, and cobblestone roads.
ACCESSIBILITY
Impossible for wheelchairs; strollers can travel the first loop; rubber boots are not an unnecessary luxury for the second loop after rainy weather.
INFORMATION
- Provincial Information Office De Zwalm and Vlaamse Ardennen: Rekegemstraat 28, 9630 Zwalm, Tel. 055 49 92 24,
Fax 055 49 83 14, toerisme.zwalm@oost-vlaanderen.be, www.toerismevlaamseardennen.be.
- Municipal Tourism Office, Zuidlaan 36, 9630 Zwalm, Tel. 055 48 05 84 and 055 48 05 85, Fax 055 48 05 99, www.zwalm.be.
- Tourism Office Zottegem: Markt 1, 9620 Zottegem, Tel. 09 364 64 64, Fax 09 364 64 79, zottegem@toerismevlaanderen.be, www.zottegem.be.
EATING & DRINKING
- Tavern De Zwalmmolen: Rekegemstraat 28, 9630 Zwalm, Tel.+Fax 055 49 89 33, open daily from April to October, except Wednesday-Thursday; open from Friday evening to Sunday from October to Easter.
- Restaurant De Zwalmkoets: Gaverbosdreef 25, 9630 Zwalm, Tel. 055 49 70 80, www.zwalmkoets.be, closed Wednesday-Friday midday, except on holidays.
- Restaurant 't Hofke van Bazel: Koningin Astridplein 11, 9150 Bazel, Tel. 03 744 11 40.
- Klein Zwitserland: Galerijpad 3, 9630 Zwalm, Tel. 055 49 70 75, Fax 09 282 97 07, open Saturday from 4.00 PM, Sunday from 11.30 AM.
- Restaurant-Taverne-Tea House Ter Swaelm: Galerijpad 5, 9630 Zwalm, Tel. 055 49 94 76, open Friday-Saturday from 6.00 PM and Sunday from 12.00 PM; also open Monday-Wednesday from 6.00 PM in July-August.
- Restaurant-Cafeteria De IJzerkotmolen: Galerijpad 2, 9630 Zwalm, Tel. 055 49 94 05, www.travel.to/ijzerkotmolen, open daily in summer.
- Tavern-Restaurant-Tea House Ter Biestmolen: Biestmolenstraat 18, 9636 Nederzwalm, Tel. 055 49 76 65, Fax 055 49 79 98, open daily from June to August, closed Tuesday-Wednesday from September to May.
- Estaminet-Restaurant De Moriaan: Paddestraat 154, 9620 Zottegem-Velzeke, Tel. 055 49 88 70, closed Tuesday-Wednesday.
- Café-Restaurant-Camping Canteclaer: Rekegemstraat 12, 9630 Zwalm, Tel.+Fax 055 49 96 88, closed Tuesday-Wednesday, except during school holidays.