Discover Kortemark: Trails, Mills and History

Kortemark combines nature experiences, family activities and a remarkable history of mills. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Kortemark can shape their stay around very different interests: a day in nature, a signposted hike, historical discoveries or an insight into Belgian beer culture. It is precisely this mix that makes the town an interesting base for a trip with children and for anyone who wants to discover more than just a single attraction.

Nature and family time in Krekemeersen

De Krekemeersen is located in the centre of Kortemark. The multifunctional area combines water management, nature and recreation. Families will find children's play equipment, benches and a public barbecue area there. This makes it possible to include active moments and quieter breaks in the day's plans, without limiting the visit to a single activity.

A family activity of its own is the treasure hunt “De Gouden Zon in de Krekemeersen”. It is aimed at children aged 5 to 11 and thus provides a specific reason to explore Krekemeersen in a playful way. When choosing your accommodation, you can consider whether such shared activities, hikes or cultural sightseeing should be the focus of your stay.

Hiking through historic and scenic areas

The signposted Ellekring hike leads through and around the old Elle district. Along the way, it passes the Ieperse Heerweg, the Oude Zeedijk, the Leenbos and the valley of the Grysperrebeek. These named points give the hike a clear character of its own: you experience not just a path, but various landscape and local features around Elle.

Ellekring is particularly interesting for planning your day if you want to combine a signposted hike with historical local features. If you would rather choose a route with mills and low-traffic roads, you can consider the Molenroute. It passes Kortemark's four mills as well as places such as Barisdamstraat and uses low-traffic roads. This gives you two different ways to explore the area: a hike around the old Elle district or a route centred on the mill landscape.

Mills and a turbulent history

Koutermolen dates from 1436, making it the oldest mill in the municipality of Kortemark. Its history also reaches back to the First World War: the German occupying forces set up a telephone exchange there, and until 1917 the mill ground oats for the occupation troops as horse feed. Anyone interested in historical connections will find a specific place here where the history of mills and war history intersect.

The Archaeological Site Museum in Werken offers further insights into the past. It displays archaeological finds discovered in the municipality of Kortemark. In addition, the Sint-Bartholomeus Parish Church in Kortemark represents a more recent historical architectural phase: it was built in 1923–1925 as a Neo-Gothic hall church with three aisles.

Views, brewing culture and local impressions

The Mouttoren has a viewing platform overlooking the surrounding area. The two chimneys and the Mouttoren of the former brewery complex have been preserved and incorporated into a new mixed-use area. The site therefore combines a preserved element of the former brewing history with views across the surrounding area.

Brouwerij Den Buiten is also one of the possible themes for your stay. For groups of 12 or more, a brewery tour with a demonstration and tasting included is offered. All stages of the brewing process are explained; there is also a small snack and a tasting of various beers. This option is suitable for coordinated group planning and complements the nature and cultural experiences with a culinary focus.

The right base for planning your trip

Choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Kortemark can sensibly be based on your preferred daily activities. Families with children can take the treasure hunt and the play opportunities in Krekemeersen into account. Hiking enthusiasts are more likely to focus on Ellekring and its route through and around Elle. Anyone wishing to explore the culture in greater depth can combine the mills, church, museum and history of the former brewery complex. For groups of 12 or more, the tour at Brouwerij Den Buiten can additionally be a key item on the programme.

If you would like to continue your search beyond Kortemark, this overview also includes Handzame as well as Diksmuide, Middelkerke, Gistel, Damme, Waregem, Staden and Ypres. This allows you to compare different travel ideas and then decide which accommodation and which location best suit your planned mix of nature, history, family time and regional experiences.

To the overarching travel overview: West Flanders.