Easy hikes and walks around Tournai

This is the absolute 'Valhalla' for long-distance hikers in the Kluisbos! This impressive wooden hiking tree marks a strategic junction where iconic Long Distance Paths (GR paths) cross. The characteristic white-red markings show you the way to legendary destinations far beyond the forest borders. From this point, you can literally discover all directions. GR 122 / GR 123 towards historic Doornik (Tournai) – 50 km GR 122 towards Ronse – 10 km GR 5A towards the Muur van Geraardsbergen – 43 km Towards the West Flemish coast to De Panne – 157 km Towards Oudenaarde – 25 km

What was the Vierschaar? The Vierschaar is an important historical legal site dating back to the Carolingian era (the 8th to 9th centuries). During that period, this was the location of the local court. Justice was not yet administered in an enclosed courtroom at that time, but outdoors in the open air. The term 'Vierschaar' literally refers to the setup of this extraordinary court: it was a square enclosed area (with four ropes or benches) within which the accused had to take a seat. The aldermen (the judges) sat on the benches to determine the verdict. It was only with the advent of the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century that this form of local open-air justice disappeared, and the court definitively moved into covered town halls. Fun fact: Germanic mythology in the Kluisbos: did you know that these open-air courts were traditionally deliberately set up under a linden tree or enormous beech trees? According to Germanic tradition, the goddess Freya resided in the linden tree. She symbolized justice, and her presence under the tree was believed to offer protection to the community during the pronouncement of the verdict.

Very beautiful place with a magnificent view 🤩

Justice was administered here during the time of Charlemagne. A Vierschaar was a place, enclosed by four benches (scharen), where court sessions were held. In front of the Vierschaar stood four beech trees (originally lime trees) that indicated the direction of Berchem, Amougies, Orroir, and Kwaremont. Due to lightning, disease, and war, they disappeared one by one. Now the Vierschaar is a resting place in the forest, right on the language border. (Agentschap Natuur & Bos)

Choose the direction you wish to follow here.

Here you literally walk back and forth across the language border. Nice, right.

In the Kluisbos - on top of the 141-meter-high Kluisberg - you'll never run out of walking or cycling opportunities. This is the largest forest in the Flemish Ardennes.

After the boutique "Le Loft" closed its doors in 2017, the former post office building stood empty for a while, until a restaurant based on a street food concept moved in in 2022... but it only lasted a few months. In May 2024, "Happy Days", a venue for birthday parties for children and young people, opened here. At the end of 2023, the City of Tournai had announced plans to temporarily house the Archaeological Museum (which had to be closed for safety reasons) here, pending the establishment of a specific 'History and Remembrance Centre'," (as can be read on notele.be), but it seems those plans did not go ahead (yet). Source: tournai.be, lavenir.be, dhnet.be