Zwalm Mill Walk (derived)

Appointment at the Sint-Mattheuskerk along the N415 in Munkzwalm, a district of Zwalm. (Those arriving by train to Munkzwalm can refer back to the last lines of this description). Walk to the left (with your back to the church) along the N415 and then turn left again into Gaverbosdreef. At the end of the street, turn left and immediately right onto the walking path (sign Zwalmbeek walking route). You will soon walk alongside the Zwalmbeek in a beautiful green setting. After 800 m, you will find the Klein Zwitserland inn on the left (open only on weekends). Cross the stream to the right. The Zwalmbeek has temporarily split here, and up to the IJzerkotmolen, you will walk between two streams. The tavern of the same name is open daily in summer and on weekends in winter. The water mill itself was already mentioned in 1412 and is accessible on Sunday afternoons and daily in July and August. Walk to the right along the IJzerkotmolen and over the stream and further to the left, next to the water, now on the right bank. After 450 m, cross the asphalt road and continue along the stream. The landscape alongside the meandering Zwalmbeek remains particularly green, quiet, and varied. After just over 1 km, you arrive at a dam and the Terbiestmolen. This mill was already mentioned in 1062 and is classified as a monument, along with its surroundings as a village view. The tavern restaurant in the mill is open daily. Continue left between the mill and the farm. After 250 m, at the T-junction, turn left and 60 m further go straight on a single-lane concrete road between the fields (sign Zwalm Cycling Route). After 500 m, turn right, still on a narrow concrete road. The concrete becomes a wide gravel road after two right-angle turns and brings you to a major road. Walk to the left on Stationsstraat and over the railway. Ignore the Knokstraat on the right, 150 m past the station, and where the major road bends to the left 30 m further on, go straight into Heufkensstraat (sign: except for local traffic).

The single-lane concrete road reconnects with the major road after 700 m. Continue straight, and after 500 m you will arrive in the center of Sint-Denijs-Boekel. Turn left and immediately go up the stairs to the beautiful Sint-Dionysiuskerk. The churchyard around the church is still in use. Exit the churchyard at the back of the church. On the left stands a statue of De Handschoenstikster. Walk to the right and after 50 m turn left into Franskouter. After 100 m, cross the Terweeënstraat and continue along Franskouter. After 550 m turn left and 300 m further you will stand at the Vinkemolen. This mill has been here only since 2002 and actually comes from Oosterzele, where it was blown down in 1983. It replaces a post mill that was demolished in the immediate area in 1946. Walk 350 m past the mill to the left and you will be in Wijlegem and with a little imagination, a few hundred years back in time. On the right, you see the Sint-Margaretakapel with a walled churchyard and another real pillory. Opposite and next to the chapel stand two beautiful farms in this nicely rolling and practically untouched landscape: the Hoven Ter Wijlegem, already mentioned in 1036. At the split, turn right and after 400 m turn left. At the T-junction, turn left and after 150 m to the right into Terweeënstraat. At the end of the street, go a little to the left and then into Rozenlaan. Bend left and right and then left into Lijsterbeslaan. Soon you will find yourself in Spoorweglaan. Cross the railway via the pedestrian tunnel and go right towards the station.

(Those arriving by train to Munkzwalm can refer here). Next to the grassy square and almost opposite the station, take the walking/cycling path (sign Zwalmroute) and walk at the end of the path to the right along the asphalt road until you reach the N415. Just a bit to the left until you reach the church.