Top 20 Natural Monuments around Zottegem

For a beautiful nature walk on the border with Aaigem, Mere, Haatert and Heldergem

The Raspaillebos has five marked walks: Natural Gas Walk (7.7 km), Farmland Landscape (4 km), Raspaillebos Walk (3.7 km), Window on the Landscape (2.5 km), and Bosberg Walk (2 km). (Agency for Nature & Forests)

Superb forest path, in relatively good condition and with a gentle slope. Be careful, it can be quite slippery when it's wet.

Away from the hustle and bustle. Enjoy the mystical Livierenbos. The mystical Livierenbos is a large old forest with open spaces located on the border of the Flemish Ardennes and Pays des Collines. In this large forest, too, the bluebell is the main character every year in April. Historical significance: the name of the forest – in French Bois de la Louvière – is Romanesque in origin and refers to the presence of wolves. Wolves lived in the forest until the 17th century, which regularly led to fierce hunts. With the knowledge of the past (werewolves) and the possible appearance of flying witches, it is doubly enjoyable and we stroll dreamily along blue-purple carpets through the present.

The mystical Livierenbos is a large old forest with open spaces located on the border of the Flemish Ardennes and Pays des Collines. In this large forest, too, the bluebell is the main character every year in April. Historical significance: the name of the forest – in French Bois de la Louvière – is Romanesque in origin and refers to the presence of wolves. Wolves lived in the forest until the 17th century, which regularly led to fierce hunts. With the knowledge of the past (werewolves) and the possible appearance of flying witches, it is doubly enjoyable and we stroll dreamily along blue-purple carpets through the present.

The Aelmoeseneiebos (or Aalmoezenijebos) is a nature reserve on the territory of the municipalities of Melle (Gontrode) and Oosterzele (Landskouter). The forest is 28.5 hectares in size and is owned by the University of Ghent. The forest area is now managed by the university Lab for Forest & Nature. The railway line Ghent-Geraardsbergen divides the forest in two. The Aelmoeseneiebos is an old forest area that already appeared on the Ferraris map in 1775. The forest was owned by the Saint Bavo's Abbey of Ghent for centuries. During the French period (1794-1815) it was transferred to the public poor relief of the city of Ghent. In 1967-1968 the Belgian State bought the forest so that the University of Ghent could use it as a test forest. The most important tree species are summer oak and beech, with ash and maple in the stream valleys. The Aelmoeseneiebos is known for its spring flora such as wood anemone, slender primrose, yellow dead-nettle and small periwinkle. During the First World War, the forest was largely cut down but replanted in 1920. Adjacent to the western part of the Aelmoeseneiebos, 10 hectares of plots of land belonging to Natuurpunt, Oosterzele department, are located in the valley of the Gondebeek. With the 'Rodeland landscape project' [1], the aim is to connect the Aelmoeseneiebos with the Makegemse forests through afforestation in the valleys of the Gondebeek, Kerkesbeek and Driesbeek[2][3]. In 2021, 5 amphibian tunnels were constructed in the Gondebeek valley[4]. Inventories and research in the Aelmoeseneiebos found 1329 different species: including 64 tree and shrub species and 599 species of invertebrates. The Aelmoeseneiebos is protected in Europe as part of the Natura 2000 area (habitat directive area) 'Forests of the south-east of the Zandleemstreek' (BE2300044). The forest is freely accessible on the footpaths.

This nature reserve is a remnant of an extensive forest area that gradually had to make way for agriculture in the 18th century. The surrounding land and the forest were owned for centuries by the Aalmoezenij, the poor relief of the Ghent Saint Bavo's Abbey. The production of wood was the main function at that time. The forest was purchased by the Belgian state in 1967-1968 so that the University of Ghent could use it as a test forest. In the early years, it was mainly used for studies on the growth and management of forests with a view to wood production. It also had a recreational and educational function. Railway line 122 Melle-Geraardsbergen divides the forest in two. In the western part (where we walked) an arboretum was created in 1973. With the 'Rodeland landscape project', the aim is to connect the Aelmoeseneiebos with the Makegemse forests through further afforestation of a number of stream valleys.

Many paths take you through the forest, especially the paths to them are a wonderful experience...