Schorisse: 't Burreken, a living painting

Starting point: Parking next to the church of Schorisse (Zottegemstraat, 9688 Schorisse).
Is this full? Just outside the village, you will find a larger public parking lot.

PART 1: Through the Krombeek valley to the barn café (3.4 km)

The walk starts at the church and leads through open fields towards ijshoeve DEL-I Ice, ideal for an artisanal ice cream. Through the Chapel of the Tour of Flanders, we walk towards a sea of tranquility. The openness offers panoramic views of the rolling landscape, where the hills sweep by like immense waves.

We descend towards the Krombeek and continue our way between forest edges and fields. On our way to barn café Our beautiful barn, curious cows look at you with surprise. At this nostalgic barn café (with Leuven stew), you can enjoy a local beer or something sweet—depending on the weather—on the garden terrace or inside the barn.

PART 2: Exploring nature reserve 't Burreken (8 km)
After the break, we head to 't Burreken, one of the most picturesque spots in the Flemish Ardennes. Flower-rich spring forests, babbling brooks, pollard willows and hollow roads alternate here. In spring, you are overwhelmed by a carpet of wood anemones, wild garlic, and wild hyacinths.
The route crosses two fenced grazing zones of Scottish Highlanders and Exmoor ponies. Walk through this in complete silence; with a bit of luck, you may see the animals grazing peacefully on or along the path.

After the grazing zones, there is a bench on Ganzenbergstraat. From this resting spot, you look out over a vast pasture surrounded by forests—the typical landscape that regional poet Omer Wattez drew inspiration from for the name 'The Flemish Ardennes'. At the bench, you will also find one of his poems.

After a short paved section via Ganzenbergstraat and Stokstraat, we dive left into a narrow, adventurous path between two meadows. This path leads to Steenbeekstraat, where we turn right towards the Amberhoeve.

⚠️ Attention / Accessibility:
This path is very narrow and fenced with sharp barbed wire. It is strongly advised against for those with limited mobility, strollers, dogs, or families with small children.  
Alternative: Continue straight on Stokstraat until the Amberhoeve to avoid the narrow path.

In the characterful B&B De Amberhoeve, you can enjoy a drink in the orangerie during the weekend (April to September): amberhoeve.be/orangerie.

PART 3: Back via the Geboortebos, the Maarkebeek, and watermill (11 km)

After a possible stop at De Amberhoeve, we turn back a bit to Beekstraat. We descend towards the Steenbeek and cross the young Geboortebos of Maarkedal, crossing the creek twice.
Via the second bridge, we leave the valley for a steep climb between the meadows. This adventurous route goes over meadow fences via turnstiles and wooden steps until we reach Heidestraat.
After that, there follows a calmer paved section. Halfway down Heirwegstraat, we dive right over the bridge of the Maarkebeek into a narrow riverbank path. We follow the creek along imposing trees until we reach the Castle Mill of Schorisse, a still functioning watermill.

⚠️ Attention / Accessibility:
This riverbank path is also steep and less suitable for those with limited mobility or young children.
Alternative: Continue along Heirwegstraat until the dirt path on the right (The Church Path). At the end of Kerkweg, turn right into Hofveldstraat. This street takes you directly back to the starting point. Along this alternative, you will pass the local café 't Vijfde Wiel and the birthplace of Omer Wattez.

Those who follow the adventurous riverbank path will reach the watermill at the end. From there, it's just a short distance to the parking lot. Along the way, you will pass the birthplace of Omer Wattez (with commemorative plaque) and see the church tower of Schorisse rising up again.

PART 4: Want to enjoy the area a bit longer?

Local café 't Vijfde Wiel (Hofveldstraat 71, Maarkedal): within walking distance.
Charming local café with a large indoor garden, vegetable garden, and billiards. Own picnic allowed.
VijfdeWiel on Facebook

Weekend café Hof Wijmenier (Wijmenierstraat 20, Maarkedal): a short drive or even walk for those who still have some energy left.
Rural farmhouse with an old Leuven stew, garden terrace, indoor garden, and petanque court.
Hof Wijmenier on Facebook

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