Beernem: Hiking, Nature and Heritage

For a stay in Beernem, you can choose from hiking, nature areas and heritage as different points of focus. The routes vary in length, surface and landscape; there are also places with their own religious or historical stories. If you are looking for a hotel in Beernem, these themes can help you narrow down the focus you want for your trip.

Hiking with different points of focus

The Bulskampveld hiking route is 8.9 kilometres long. It passes through extensive woodland, the heathland areas of the Heideveld-Bornebeek nature reserve, field ponds and a landscape typical of tree-lined avenues. The route description therefore brings together several different landscape features in a single walk.

A shorter option is “Mathis en Marthe in het bos – Jump en het raadsel van de beuk”: the walking trail is 4.5 kilometres long and mostly unpaved. The Expeditie Bulskampveld passes through a play forest and challenges participants with balance exercises. The two activities offer different experiences: one is described in terms of its length and surface, the other in terms of its play forest and balance activities.

The Treinstapper hike leads from Beernem to Bruges. You can do it independently, at your own pace and whenever you choose. No distance or walking time is specified, so your own pace and chosen stage are what matter for planning.

At De Vaanders, there is a circular walking route with information boards. It starts on Maria-Aaltersesteenweg at De Vaanders. The Oedelemberg hiking route brings together the area’s terrain, nature and history as themes. Oedelemberg itself rises 23 metres above sea level north of Oedelem, in gently rolling countryside. The slow route through Oostveld passes through similarly gently rolling agricultural land, by grazing livestock and cultivated fields, with beautiful views.

Water, woodland and open landscapes

The history of the Ghent–Bruges Canal also shapes the landscape: it was created between 1270 and 1280, when the ridge between Beernem and Sint-Joris was cut through. De Miseriebocht is a picturesque branch of the canal between the Jachthaven van Beernem and the church of Sint-Joris. Great crested grebes and kingfishers can be spotted there. The marina has space for 115 boats and its own slipway.

The seven-hectare Gevaerts-Noord nature development area lies along the Ghent–Bruges Canal in the Zuidleie valley. De Vaanders covers more than 60 hectares and lies near Beernem and Aalter, on the border between East and West Flanders. These figures give two different measures of nature areas in the region: seven hectares at Gevaerts-Noord and more than 60 hectares at De Vaanders.

Beverhoutsveld includes parts of Beernem and Oostkamp and can be explored on foot or by bike. The Battle of Beverhoutsveld took place there on 3 May 1382. The Gedenksteen Beverhoutsveld commemorates the clash between the people of Bruges and the people of Ghent. Here, the landscape and historical memory are directly connected to the same named place.

Chapels, churches and local history

The Govaertskapel was built in 1884 in the Neo-Gothic style on behalf of the Govaert family. Dedicated to Mary, it is a healing chapel surrounded by seven small chapels, each representing one of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. A pilgrimage site developed at Sint-Joris-ten-Distel, where people traditionally pray for healing from skin diseases. The church there dates from the 19th century and was built in the Louis Philippe style; its furnishings include a polychrome statue of Saint George from the 15th century.

The parish church in Beernem, dedicated to Saint Amandus, stands at the intersection of Rollebaanstraat, Berenheemstraat, Bloemendalestraat and Hoornstraat. In Sint-Joris, Kooldreef and Pelderijn together connect the village square with Castle de Lanier. Lattenklieversstraat features well-preserved historic buildings, including former folk cafés or shops, distinctive workers’ houses and stately mansions. The historical context of these former uses is important: the cafés and shops are described as former establishments.

With “Sprekende Stenen,” you can listen to stories about people who helped shape Beernem. QR codes at the graves of Irma Van Rie, Richard Batselaere, Wilfried De Gersem, Augustinus De Poorter and Maurice Vanhaecke lead to their respective stories. In Provinciedomein Bulskampveld, the renovated castle has been turned into a nature and regional visitor centre. The interactive family exhibition “Roots” explores how trees and fungi work together.

Plan a stay around your interests

The Bulskampveld herb garden also offers a specific focus: it contains more than 400 different herbs. Herb walks or workshops are held there regularly; as dates may change, it is worth checking the current programme before your trip. When planning, you can choose between a route of a set length, nature watching, local history and a seasonal activity in the herb garden.

Discover more destinations: Deerlijk, Tielt, Ruiselede, Bruges, Doomkerke, Poperinge, Koksijde, Diksmuide.

For the wider travel overview: West Flanders.