The best traffic-free bike rides in Grandvalbos En Kooigembos

quiet and beautiful surroundings

Very well-laid cycle path with built-in right of way.

Due to a breach in the wall near Ellestraat (approximately halfway along the canal), the canal completely emptied in 1959. The damage was later linked to the digging work of muskrats. (Wikipedia)

A practical and smooth connection for cyclists and pedestrians between Flanders and Wallonia.

This is truly a very special place: the ruins of the Sint-Amelberga Church in Bossuit, transformed into a publicly accessible work of art. It was the British artist Ellen Harvey, living in New York, who designed this work, entitled "Repeat." The art church is a new meeting place for residents and visitors, preserving the sacred and ritual significance of the church site. The church in Bossuit has existed since the 10th century, originally as a two-aisled Romanesque church. In the 19th century, architect Pierre Nicolas Croquison drew up the plans for the new three-aisled hall church in the Neo-Gothic style. Construction began in 1857, and the church was officially consecrated nine years later. The church was partially destroyed during the First World War and then rebuilt. When the Sint-Amelberga Church was declared dilapidated in 2007, the municipal council of Avelgem began searching for a new purpose. They viewed the church not as a standalone building, but as part of a larger whole: the village of Bossuit. In the village plan for its development into an attractive and livable village, the church had to maintain its key role in the village life. The official opening of the artwork 'Repeat' took place on July 13, 2014. The art church is open daily and admission is free. The art church can be used as a venue for events. Source: information board on site

Between 1857 and 1860, the old Bossuit-Kortrijk canal was dug using spades and wheelbarrows, as well as horse and cart. After the construction of the new canal in the early 1970s, this old section of the canal remained in place. As a result, an ideal spawning ground was created here. Fish find few suitable opportunities to spawn and lay their eggs. They do this on aquatic and riparian plants, which are present in limited numbers in the canal. Species such as rudd and pike require plants to complete their reproduction. The creation of fish spawning grounds gives the fish population a "natural" boost. However, it is not only fish that benefit from this nature development zone. Dragonflies, amphibians, waterfowl, and breeding birds also find an ideal habitat there. Source: information board on site

The Kortrijk-Bossuit Canal was built between 1858 and 1860 to connect the Leie and Scheldt rivers, primarily to transport coal from the Borinage to Flanders.

The Sint-Pietersbrugje dates back to 1892. In 2019-2020, it underwent a very thorough restoration, during which it had to be dismantled and taken to the workshop, where it was carefully cleaned and sandblasted. Furthermore, some parts were replaced and manually riveted. The entire structure incorporates no fewer than 1,000 rivets. Finally, the bridge also received a protective coat of paint in striking Brunswick green, the original colour of the bridge. Source: vlaamsewaterweg.be