Torhout: Countryside, Trails and Pottery Tradition

Torhout brings together countryside and a castle park, trails with specific distances, and a long pottery tradition. You can tailor your stay to your interests: explore on foot, go cycling, or learn about the area’s architecture and history. When choosing a hotel, it helps to first decide what you’d like to focus on. The various destinations and routes show which sides of Torhout might suit you.

Countryside, Groenhove and the Castle Park

Groenhove is designated in the Landscape Atlas as one of two anchor sites in the area of the city of Torhout. Provinciedomein d’Aertrycke includes a castle park, a pond, meadows and woods, as well as signposted walking trails. The landscape features described here therefore include water, open spaces, woodland and marked walking paths.

The Krommenhaakpad runs through Groenhove and its surroundings. Along the way, it passes Torwoud, with its retention basin and footbridge, as well as walking paths around Groenhove. The route description thus identifies both specific points along the way and the areas the trail passes through.

Groenhovebos has a fishing pond, a play meadow and a playground with a pirate ship. Individual facilities may be renovated over time, so check their current condition before your visit.

Kasteel d'Aertrycke was built from 1869 to 1871 in the eclectic style of the Flemish Neo-Gothic Renaissance, based on a design by architect J. Schadde. The castle park was designed by landscape architect Louis Fuchs. This allows you to consider the site’s architectural history and landscape design as two distinct aspects.

Choose Walking and Running Routes by Distance

The signposted Revinzepad is 9.5 kilometres long and runs between Torhout and Kasteel Wijnendale. The Driekoningenpad is a 4.7-kilometre walking trail that passes, among other places, Kasteel d'Aertrycke and Wijnendaledreef. The distances clearly distinguish the two routes: one runs between Torhout and Kasteel Wijnendale, while the other lists the castle and avenue as points along its route.

Torhout’s running route system offers signposted routes of 5 or 10 kilometres. Groenhovebos or Weserstraat in Torhout-Oost are listed as possible starting points. Markings and surfaces on these routes may change, so check the current route and ground conditions before setting out.

Cycling and a Car-Free Route

The green Karel Van Wijnendale route of the De Vlaamsche Leeuwen mountain bike route is 31 kilometres long and starts at the Benny Vansteelant Sports Centre in Torhout. Route conditions may change, so it is advisable to check before setting out. Another option is the Groene 62: this 22-kilometre, car-free route connects Oostende and Torhout and is intended for walking and cycling.

Distance is not the only factor to consider when choosing a route. The Karel Van Wijnendale route is designated as a section of a mountain bike route; the Groene 62 is described as car-free and suitable for walking or cycling. This lets you consider the type of route as well as its length.

Pottery History and Torhout Mustard

Torhout is the historic centre of an exceptional pottery tradition. The Torhouts Aardewerk Museum traces its history through selected pieces from different stylistic periods and production centres. The museum is housed in a small castle surrounded by a moat, which has been owned by the city since 1989.

One year links two different stories in Torhout: construction of Kasteel d'Aertrycke began in 1869, and production of Mostaard Wostyn also began that year. A guided tour of the Mustard Museum takes you through Wostyn’s workshop and includes a tasting of the pungent Torhout mustard made there. Architectural history, ceramics and a local food product thus offer different cultural points of interest during your stay.

Special Visiting Conditions

Individual visitors can enter Kinderboerderij d'Oude Smelterij free of charge. Groenhovebos can be visited around the Diocesaan Dienstenhuis accompanied by Sister Marie-Dominique. She is a biologist and manages the forest; arrange this personal accompaniment before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Jabbeke, Nieuwpoort, Deerlijk, Loppem, Kuurne, Staden, Oostrozebeke, Roeselare

For the broader travel overview: West Flanders.