Hidden in the shadow of Tielt lies the tiny Schuiferskapelle. A real village. So it is not surprising that this walk takes you through vast agricultural landscapes.

Text and Photo Eddy Vlyminck

Schuiferskapelle is the smallest part of Tielt: a handful of houses grouped around the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Geboortekerk, and directly opposite the church is the only café that also serves as a local supplier. At “’t Eén en ’t ander,” you can quickly take care of some forgotten purchases while enjoying a regional beer. A remarkable yet successful combination. We walk through open agricultural landscapes along mostly paved paths. No forest areas and hardly any elevation changes, but well-maintained fields and green meadows, here and there with a 360° panorama. Don’t forget the sunscreen when you come on a summer day. On the way to Schoutskruis, Grietjensgalge, and ’t Biesgat! We start at the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Geboortekerk.

Pasar 2019/6 - Last route check 2019/3

The Route

To the right of the church (V), enter the Brugstokwegel (cul-de-sac). Passing the Torenstraat, you enter a dirt road between the fields towards the greenhouses. Back on the paved road, turn right. Follow the Uitweg and pass a breeding site (1). You cross a relatively busy road and follow the Bilkbosstraat to the right. At the first intersection, turn right. Now follow Bilkbosstraat 9-15. Go straight until a T-intersection. Here, turn left onto Waalbosstraat. At the first intersection, turn right. After about 50 m, you pass an electrical box on the left side of the road. At the house numbered 23, turn left. Follow this path until shortly before a busy road. Just before the house numbered 6, turn right onto Kleiweg. Where the asphalt road bends to the right, follow the dirt road straight ahead. To your right, you have a rise (up to 27 m) in the otherwise very flat landscape and a beautiful view of the Klapwullebeek valley. The dirt road becomes asphalt again. At the end of Westakkerstraat, turn right at the T-intersection. Follow this path to Schoutskruis (2). Continue straight on Schoutskruisestraat towards FKP 89. Turn right at the next intersection onto Grietjensgalgestraat. At the chapel on Galgestraat, turn left. Follow Galgestraat until the T-intersection with Abeelstraat. Turn right, and after about 30 meters, just after the chapel of O.L.V. of Salette (3), turn left. This is Rijkegemkouterstraat. After crossing the Kapellebeek, follow this slightly winding road, ignoring all side streets. This will eventually lead you to ’t Biesgat (4). Turn right here. At a large shed on the right side, continue straight on Tommekouterstraat. At the end, turn right onto Kapellebeekwegel. Gently uphill with a view of the church of Schuiferskapelle. At the end, be careful! Cross the busy road diagonally and immediately turn left into Steenakkerstraat. Follow this path past the hamlet of Elshoek. At the T-intersection, turn right onto Dosseweg. At a power pole with a lamp on the left, turn onto the dirt road. You are now heading towards the village. Continue straight past the chapel until you reach the church.