The best running trails around Aalter

Poeke Castle boasts nearly 1,000 years of history. This impressive, eclectic, rococo-style castle in Aalter has been home to various noble families throughout the centuries; its history itself dates back to the 12th century. Its pale pink facades still sparkle today. The surrounding wooded park, 56 hectares in size, makes the estate a beautiful place for a stroll.

The church of Lotenhulle is a relatively homogeneous Romanesque or Neo-Romanesque building. Yet, it is the result of a rather turbulent church history. The original Romanesque church was likely built at the end of the 12th century and enlarged to a three-legged church during the 16th century. It was severely damaged during the religious unrest of the 16th century. A complete restoration took place step by step during the 17th and 18th centuries. The 19th century also saw intense and extensive construction activity. The renovations around 1870 sometimes resembled a new building. The actual nave was rebuilt virtually from the ground up. The work was directed by architect August Van Assche. The octagonal crossing tower is the only remaining remnant of the original Romanesque church that has been preserved in a relatively intact condition. Source: aalter.be

Catering business opposite the church

Poeke Castle Estate is an enchanting estate with a majestic castle surrounded by a moat, extensive gardens and ancient trees. Paths lead you past picturesque ponds, blooming rhododendrons and romantic bridges, making it an idyllic place to explore.

The last baroness (also mayor of Poeke, which at the time was still a separate municipality), Ines Pycke de Peteghem, bequeathed the castle in her will to the National Work of Catholic School Colonies (NWKS). After her death in 1955, the castle served for a long time as a holiday camp for young children from (often rather vulnerable) families of workers and small business owners (NWKS later became "Duinen-Heide"). Later, the local playground found a home here. The castle also served as a venue for classical concerts, among other events. I remember an "Interludium" (a short segment produced by the then BRT to fill the gaps between programs) being recorded here. Poetry evenings (under the banner: "The Closer the Better") featuring artists such as Simon Vinkenoog and Ivo Van Strijtem were also held here. And now in 2025 the castle expects the 22nd edition of the East Flanders Biennale of Contemporary Art.

The castle has a fascinating history, with the first mentions dating back to the 12th century. It belonged to various noble owners, including the de Preudhomme d’Hailley family and the Pycke de Peteghem family, until the municipal authorities purchased it in 1977. Since September 1, 2021, Tourism Flanders has owned the castle and its estate. The Poeke castle park is a wooded 56-hectare park featuring a truly magnificent neoclassical castle. The gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

The Hooggoed is a forest area of 120 hectares located near the Bulskampveld in Aalter. The domain forest is managed by the Agency for Nature and Forests and consists of beech, pedunculate oak, birch, Scots pine and larch. The Hooggoed is located on a sandy bottom and is therefore also called the Egypt field. Historically, however, the name Hooggoed refers to two separate areas north and south of the current forest. During the 18th century, they were both owned by a different Jesuit monastery. The fathers intensively forested the Aalter heath: first with deciduous wood, then with coniferous wood. The Hooggoedbos is divided into rabatten or canals (elongated or round mounds surrounded by ditches). The Hooggoed is home to red squirrels, weasels, black woodpeckers, buzzards, sparrowhawks, kestrels, long-eared owls, nuthatches and tree creepers, among others. Het Hooggoed is freely accessible on the avenues and paths that cross the area.

It is beautiful and very quiet here to walk. Playful elements have been added to the path for the kids