Oostrozebeke – Trails, the Mandel and local history

Oostrozebeke combines trails through the landscape with traces of local history. There are options for different plans: a signposted exercise route of around seven kilometres, a 735-metre path through the Groene Long, and longer cycling routes. The Mandel and its former river courses also shape the landscape. Historical buildings and stories tell of the flax industry, religious remembrance and an unusual motorsport history.

Walking and cycling routes

Numerous walking, cycling and inline skating routes pass through Oostrozebeke. The Mandeldalroute is a 54-kilometre cycling route in the Leiestreek. In Oostrozebeke, it passes through the Mandelmeersen and over an old railway embankment that cuts through the landscape. The route therefore takes in two distinct landscape features: wetlands and the old railway line.

Another cycling route is 45 kilometres long and passes through Oostrozebeke, Ingelmunster, Meulebeke, Dentergem and Wielsbeke. It is nine kilometres shorter than the Mandeldalroute. If you are planning a shorter walk, the “10,000 Steps” exercise route offers a different scale: it is about seven kilometres long, fully signposted and follows rural paths. The route is accessible to wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.

The Platse Ring is a circular route around the centre, the “platse”. Several footpaths and crossing points have been adapted to make the route easy to navigate for people with limited mobility—including wheelchair and rollator users—and people with pushchairs. There is also a digital way to navigate the walking routes: a QR code at the top of the route PDF opens RouteYou, where you can follow the route on your mobile phone.

In the heart of the centre, a 735-metre bark-covered path runs around the entire Groene Long. This is a much shorter walk than the longer cycling routes. The different distances make it easy to consider walking and longer bike rides as separate options during your stay.

The Mandel and the landscape

The Mandel flows from Roeselare through Oostrozebeke for several kilometres before joining the Leie. Remnants of former meanders remain in the Mandelmeersen and near the Nieuwbrug. They were left behind after the river’s most recent straightening and show that its present course is not the only trace in the landscape.

A walking path runs near the Mandel in the Mandelmeersen and is connected to the sports centre. This is a different landscape setting from the path through the centrally located Groene Long or the Mandeldalroute over the old railway embankment. When planning your visit, you can choose between a river landscape, a central walking path and a longer cycling route.

History and special places

Oostrozebeke’s architectural history is also part of the town’s character. The present Sint-Amandus Church was rebuilt after the previous church was completely destroyed by fire on 7 April 1935. The foundation stone was laid on 9 February 1936, and the church was consecrated on 22 October that same year. These three dates trace the story from the fire through reconstruction to consecration.

Oostrozebeke’s flax barns and retting houses are reminders of the flax industry. The homes of independent flax farmers, with attached flax barns, stand parallel to the Mandel. A triangular chapel was built at the Smallestokbrug in memory of a tragic event.

De Ginste is considered the birthplace of sidecar motocross. The pioneers named here include the brothers Frits, Frans and Willy Verbrugghe. A monumental sculpture in De Ginste commemorates this connection: artist Koen Verbrugghe spent more than 400 hours welding it. The former farmhouse residence, still known as ’t Spookkasteel, belongs to another strand of local stories, including tales of white washerwomen and goblins.

Discover more destinations: Avelgem, Oostende, Harelbeke, Middelkerke, Heuvelland, Blankenberge, Spiere-Helkijn, Tielt.

For the regional travel overview: West Flanders.