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On a trot through the Flemish Ardennes
Off-road walking, adventure cycling and water-based leisure activities in the rolling countryside between Oudenaarde, Brakel and Ronse — accessible to everyone.
Yes, please >
Enjoying nature is a fundamental right for everyone. In the Flemish Ardennes, a cohesive network of accessible walking, cycling and water routes is taking shape, with two complementary accommodation options serving as base camps. And without any additional paving: the infrastructure adapts to the landscape, not the other way round. A real experience for the whole family.
The place
Co-ordinated by Tourism East Flanders, the project “Accessible Nature and Recreation Experiences in the Flemish Ardennes” (2025–2027) is developing a network across the rolling countryside between Oudenaarde, Brakel, Geraardsbergen, Ronse and Gavere.
The strength lies in the broad-based collaboration: a provincial tourism organisation, local authorities, leisure centres, nature conservation organisations, care holiday centres and private adventure operators each contribute their own facilities and expertise, combining them into a single, cohesive offering.
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The accommodation
Op 't Roth — Welden, Oudenaarde
At the mouth of the Zwalm, overlooking the Scheldt, Kurt and Eline run this 5-star holiday home together with their children, under the motto #everyoneeverywhere. The wheelchair-accessible ‘Wilg’ room sleeps four people and has its own adapted bathroom; wide doors and a threshold-free entrance ensure everything is easily accessible. Warm and cosy, with a fully equipped kitchen, a pool table and, in summer, a swimming pool — simply a lovely holiday home.
Set in a former monastery surrounded by nature, the De Kleppe care holiday centre is fully wheelchair- and bed-accessible, with care aids on site and a professional care network. As the first holiday centre in Flanders to hold the autism-friendly label, special attention is paid to low-stimulus spaces, pictograms, a sensory room and predictable step-by-step plans. De Kleppe also serves as the starting point and bike hire centre for the cycle routes.
De Gavers Provincial Park — Geraardsbergen
An additional base with a fully adapted bungalow, accessible rooms, a four-star campsite and hikers’ huts, plus an indoor swimming pool with a pool lift. It also serves as a starting point for walking and water-based activities.
The activities
Each route is tested and approved by experienced off-road wheelchair users or people with adapted bicycles, and starts from a vetted departure point with accessible car parking, toilet facilities and catering.
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Off-road walking
Four off-road walking routes follow the junction network, which is subject to strict criteria regarding gradient, width and obstacles. Among other things, they take you through woodland and open countryside to the Boembeke Mill in Brakel — featuring an interactive woodland trail and a boardwalk — and along an unpaved loop around the Borgwal castle grounds in Gavere. Along the way, aids such as a Joëlette and a Hippocampe (amphibious wheelchair) are available.
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Adventure cycling
Three cycle routes along paved and semi-paved paths, tested with duo bikes, tandems and wheelchair-accessible flat-bed bikes. For example, you can cycle through the Livierenbos from De Kleppe, take a loop around Ronse along the old miners’ path, or cycle along the Scheldt from the Ename Heritage Centre. Adapted bikes can be hired on site.
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Water-based leisure activities
And you can take to the water too: at The Outsider At the Donkvijver in Oudenaarde, electric SUP boards fitted with seats are available, so that wheelchair users can also paddle independently, and on the tranquil River Dender at De Gavers, you can enjoy accessible kayaking.
Is there accessible nature in your area too?
Do you work for a tourist board, local authority or regional organisation, and would you like to make nature accessible in your area too? Our centre of expertise can help you get started.