The best city hikes and walks in Vallei Van De Zeverenbeek

Today, the Congo Market has largely disappeared due to the widening of the Schipdonk Canal. On the bank of the Schipdonk Canal, on the remains of what was – until the canal was widened – a much larger Congo Square, a monument with a bronze statue by Geo Vindevogel commemorates the horrific event that took place on May 25, 1940, when German troops managed to cross the water (the bridge had been blown up) and neutralized the Ardennes Hunters assembled there and in the market square. Source: sign on site (with more information).

Since Kamiel Filliers received a permit to distill jenever on his farm in 1800, five generations of the same family have continued to do so. In fact, the story begins even earlier. Kamiel's "uncle Ferdinand" already distilled jenever on his farm, but the distillery burned down in 1863. The fifth generation to run the company from 1980 onwards, cousins Jan and Bernard Filliers, were the last of the family. Since 2018, Bernard Cnudde from Oudenaarde has been in charge. In addition to jenever, fruit jenevers (including "Wortegemsen," a lemon jenever they took over), and gin (Filliers Dry Gin 28), Filliers also produces Advocaat and crème jenevers, and since 2007, its own single malt whisky (Goldlys Family Reserve, a reference to the Leie River). Filliers Belgisch is currently the market leader in the jenevers segment. The original distillery site has been included in the inventory of immovable heritage as architectural heritage since 1991. Source: Wikipedia

Don't be mistaken: Belderbos isn't the name of a nearby forest, but rather the family name of one of the two initiators: Marc Belderbos, an architect-engineer, and Lies De Maeyer, a painting restorer. On Friday and Saturday evenings, there's often live music, especially (Latin American and African) world music. See: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576994203682&sk=photos

The unloading dock (and also the bridge) is that of the main Versele-Laga site, which primarily produces food for small and large pets. It is the second largest animal feed producer in Belgium after Arvesta. The company originated nearby: In 1932, Prudent Versele ran a garden restaurant and grocery store in Astene. He also sold compound feed for livestock and built a feed factory for compound feed production in 1937. After the Second World War, the second generation took over management of the company. The first expansion followed in 1957, and in the mid-1960s, Versele merged with a feed factory in Hasselt. In 1966, the Deinze-based company merged with the Joseph Laga-Houtekier factory, after which it became Versele-Laga. In 1981, a new pet food factory was built on the other side of the Leie River. Under the impetus of the current fourth generation, the company expanded its operations abroad. Source: Wikipedia

Under the banner "Road to LA 2028," the city of Deinze transformed the asphalt towpath on the left bank of the Leie River into a practice/competition zone for those who want to compete with friends (or, perhaps, just passing by) in a sprint event, the 400m, 800m, or 1200m, and the mile. There are marked start and finish lines in both directions, and even four numbered lanes for the sprint.

The Leie flows quietly through the centre of Deinze and forms a picturesque waterway with green banks and charming bridges. Along the river you will find cosy terraces and benches where you can enjoy the rippling water and the passing boats.

Active activity, shipping is good for the environment

It's a bit of a struggle, not much space. It is also a one-way street