Wingene, Hertsberge and Aalter

The Blekkerbos in Maria-Aalter made the news in early 2012 when the body of the Wingene castle murder was found here. Castle lord Stijn Saelens disappeared and his body was identified in the forest. However, the forest is not lugubrious. The large forest complex consists mainly of oak trees and beech trees. In the autumn you can look for sweet chestnuts, because there are also some stately specimens of this species on the site. There is more light at the edges of the forest because the trees are further apart. Here, common heather and common heather grow at the edge of allotted plots where the leaves of grass blades wave in the wind. During this cycle tour you will pass Poeke castle, which is located in the village of the same name. The moated building is accessible via two bridges. It is unknown exactly when the complex was built, but it is certain that there was already a fortress on the site of the castle in 1139. The castle was the setting for a television program five times. The first time was in 1991 for the BRT series De Bossen van Vlaanderen, the last time it was used for the recording of Parade's End.