Zwalm mill walk

Meet at the Sint-Mattheuskerk along the N415 in Munkzwalm, borough of Zwalm. (If you come to Munkzwalm by train, first pick up the last lines of this description). Walk to the left (with your back to the church) along the N415 and turn left again into Gaverbosdreef. At the end of the street, turn left and immediately right onto the footpath (sign Zwalmbeek walking route). You soon walk next to the Zwalmbeek in a beautiful green setting. After 800 m there is on the left the Klein Zwitserland branch (only open on weekends). Cross the stream to the right. The Zwalmbeek has temporarily split here and up to the IJzerkotmolen you walk between two streams. The tavern of the same name is open daily in summer and on weekends in winter. The watermill itself was already mentioned in 1412 and is accessible daily on Sunday afternoons and in July and August. Walk to the right past the IJzerkotmolen and across 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 walking along the stream. The landscape next to the meandering Zwalmbeek remains very green, quiet and full of variety. After just over 1 km you will arrive at a weir and the Terbiestmolen. This mill was already mentioned in 1062 and is classified as a monument, together with the surrounding area as a village view. The tavern restaurant in the mill is open daily. Continue walking to the left between mill and farm. After 250 m, turn left at the T-junction and continue straight for 60 m on a single-lane concrete road between the fields (sign Zwalm Cycle Route). After 500 m, turn right, still on a narrow concrete road. After two right-angled bends, the concrete becomes a wide gravel road and brings you to a large road. Walk to the left in the Stationsstraat and over the railway. Ignore 150 m past the station on the right the Knokstraat and where 30 m further the main road to the left turn you step straight into the Heufkensstraat (sign: except local traffic).

The single-lane concrete road rejoins the main road after 700 m. Go straight ahead and after 500 m you will arrive in the center of Sint-Denijs-Boekel. Turn left and immediately right up the stairs to the beautiful St. Dionysius Church. The cemetery around the church is still in use. Leave the cemetery at the back of the church. On the left is a statue of The Glove Stitcher. Walk to the right and after 50 m to the left in the Franskouter. After 100 m, cross the Terweeënstraat and continue along the Franskouter. After 550 m turn left and 300 m further you are at the Vinkemolen. This mill has only been here since 2002 and actually comes from Oosterzele, where it was blown over in 1983. It replaces a stake mill that was demolished here in the immediate vicinity in 1946. Walk 350 m past the mill to the left and you are in Wijlegem and with a little imagination a few hundred years back in time. On the right you see the St. Margaret's Chapel with a walled cemetery and a real pillory. Opposite and next to the chapel are two beautiful hooves in this beautiful rolling and practically intact landscape: the Hoven Ter Wijlegem, already mentioned in 1036. Walk to the right at the fork and turn left after 400 m. At the T-junction, turn left and after 150 m turn right into Terweeënstraat. At the end of the street, turn left and then into Rozenlaan. Turn left and right and then left into the Thrush. Soon you will be in the Spoorweglaan. Cross the railway via the pedestrian tunnel and turn right towards the station.

(If you come to Munkzwalm by train, you can pick up here). Next to the grass square and almost opposite the station, take the walking/cycling path (sign Zwalmroute) and at the end of the path walk to the right along the asphalt road until you reach the N415. Turn left until you reach the church.