From Zottegem to Nederbrakel

This route starts and ends at the parking lot in Strijpen. The Flemish Ardennes is the hilly area between Oudenaarde, Zottegem and Geraardsbergen. The region is an officially recognized Regional Landscape and extends across the language border into the Pays des Collines in Hainaut. You will find a wide variety of biotopes, each with their own unique flora and fauna. There are ponds, spring forests and swamp forests, wooded hills and open fields. Unique plants are the dark cranesbill, purple scaly root and spotted lungwort. Of the animals, the spring dragonfly and the fire salamander are the most special. And in this mostly small-scale landscape you can also hear the black redstart, yellow wagtail and little owl calling. Zottegem originated as a small settlement on the left bank of the Bettelhovebeek. The first mention of it dates from 1083 and reads 'Sotengem'. The city is known as the Egmont City and is also called 'The Gate of the Flemish Ardennes'. There are beautiful nature reserves in the rolling landscape around Zottegem. Nederbrakel is located in the Flemish Ardennes and the Dender region, in a beautiful, rolling backdrop of hills. On one of the hills you will find the Toepkapel, a pilgrimage chapel with a view of the village center. In the heart of the village you can admire the St. Peter's Band Church with a Gothic tower from the 16th century. There is a carillon in the tower with no fewer than 49 bells.