Discover Zwevegem: Industrial Heritage, Nature and Trails

Zwevegem combines impressive industrial heritage with nature reserves, hiking trails and unique experiences. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Zwevegem can tailor their stay to their own interests: at the Transfo site, the history of energy takes centre stage, while forests, canal banks and open agricultural landscapes provide space for walks and nature observation. Culinary discoveries are also part of the character of the town.

Industrial Heritage with Unusual Insights

Transfo Zwevegem is a protected industrial heritage site covering an area of 9 hectares. Transfo Energiek presents the history of energy and the energy transition through various indoor and outdoor experience trails. In addition, the Transfo site has an online heritage experience trail that you can explore independently.

The site is also home to an above-ground bunker built in 1938 by Intercom as a shelter for the employees of the former power station. The Transfo bunker has been preserved intact with its two entrances, but its interior is not accessible because it is used as a habitat by bats. For active experiences, Transfo Climbing offers 1,500 square metres of climbing walls up to 16 metres high. More than 150 routes range there from difficulty level 4 to 8b.

Historic Trails, Mills and Chapels

Several striking buildings are also part of Zwevegem’s cultural heritage. Mortiers Molen is the oldest of the municipality’s three mills. It was restored in 1994 and is once again capable of milling. Stenen Molen was built in 1798; its internal machinery has been removed, so it can no longer mill. In Moen, Sint-Pietersbrug is a protected industrial archaeological drawbridge whose original typological characteristics have been fully preserved.

Around the church of Heestert, a Way of the Cross with seven chapels dating from 1897 leads through the area; a larger chapel with a Calvary was added in 1901. Blinde Kapel was built around 1750 and is a pilgrimage site associated with eye, head and heart ailments. The Priesterage in Zwevegem is a former vicarage situated on a medieval motte.

Forests, Water and Trails for Different Days

Several very different landscapes are available for days in nature. The 26-hectare Orveytbos was created from soil excavated during the construction of the Bossuit–Kortrijk Canal. The woodland can be reached via Kraaibosstraat; 23 dragonfly species occur there, including the endangered species small spreadwing and northern damselfly. In spring, the 8-hectare Grandvalbos is characterised by carpets of bluebells and wood anemones among oaks and hornbeams. The part owned by the ANB is freely accessible.

The Moense Vaarttaluds, together with the young Braebos, are recognised as a Flemish nature reserve. In Lettenhofpark between Knokke and Zwevegem, you will find woodland and nature zones as well as a play forest. The park borders, among other things, the sports centre, the fishing pond, the towpath, the Bossuit–Kortrijk Canal and a mountain-bike route. Those seeking a view across an open landscape will find it at Geitenberg, overlooking the agricultural landscape of Kooigem–Sint-Denijs.

Hiking and Discovering with Children

The “Door De Velden” walk is 6 kilometres long. All paths are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs, and there are geocaching treasures to discover along the way. The “Valuable Buildings and Monuments” route starts and ends at LagoClub Zwevegem Fit at Bekaertstraat 9, 8550 Zwevegem. The Drie Molens Route starts in Gemeentepark Zwevegem, while the Zwevegem loop of the Boerhovenroute is 35.6 kilometres long. You can recognise the Orveyt walking route by its hexagonal signs. In Sint-Denijs lies the 15-hectare Mortagnebos, which can be reached via Marberstraat and is crossed by the Land van Mortagne walking network.

Regional Delicacies and Suitable Trip Planning

Tuin van Adam en Eten is home to a young food forest area created since January 2020 as part of the Duurzame Buurten project, and it is freely accessible at all times. Hof 't Klokhuis offers educational programmes on organic fruit growing, environmentally friendly insect control methods and the lives of bees. At Circus Brouwerij, a tour of the brewing process is followed by a tasting with a tapas platter.

This allows you to take your preferred travel focus into account when choosing accommodation: Transfo and the historic buildings are ideal for cultural discoveries, the forests and routes for active days, while nature and farm-based activities complement slower-paced excursions. For a broader comparison as part of your trip planning, you can also find Diksmuide, Hooglede, Zedelgem, Houthulst, Bruges, Kuurne and Ingelmunster.

For the overarching travel overview: West Flanders.