The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Lozerbos

Until the 1960s, the "Zeveren Plancke" formed a connection between Zeveren and the grain mill at the Oude Brugse Poort. With the construction of this boardwalk, Natuurpunt restored this slow-moving route between Zeveren and Deinze. Hikers and cyclists can discover the unique natural landscape of this valley, where the Zeverenbeek stream meanders through flower-rich meadows with plants including the common rattle, the common ragged-cuckoo flower, and various orchid species. This path was constructed by the City of Deinze, the Flemish Land Agency, and Natuurpunt with the support of the European project "Balance." Source: information board on site

Today, the Congo Market has largely disappeared due to the widening of the Schipdonk Canal. On the bank of the Schipdonk Canal, on the remains of what was – until the canal was widened – a much larger Congo Square, a monument with a bronze statue by Geo Vindevogel commemorates the horrific event that took place on May 25, 1940, when German troops managed to cross the water (the bridge had been blown up) and neutralized the Ardennes Hunters assembled there and in the market square. Source: sign on site (with more information).

The Bathio self-service ferry crosses the Oude Leie arm between DVC Leieborg (a facility for people with intellectual or multiple disabilities) and Vosselareput, a swimming pond with a sunbathing area and bar. If you're heading towards the DVC, you can immediately turn left (before the path crosses a small wooden bridge) and follow the meander. If you're heading towards Vosselareput, you'll walk straight through the Leyhoek, the meadows enclosed by the meander. In both cases, you'll arrive at the Leie between two pleasant spots for relaxation: Zomerbar Belderbos (slightly to the left, towards Deinze) and Astene-Sas, to the right.

The unloading dock (and also the bridge) is that of the main Versele-Laga site, which primarily produces food for small and large pets. It is the second largest animal feed producer in Belgium after Arvesta. The company originated nearby: In 1932, Prudent Versele ran a garden restaurant and grocery store in Astene. He also sold compound feed for livestock and built a feed factory for compound feed production in 1937. After the Second World War, the second generation took over management of the company. The first expansion followed in 1957, and in the mid-1960s, Versele merged with a feed factory in Hasselt. In 1966, the Deinze-based company merged with the Joseph Laga-Houtekier factory, after which it became Versele-Laga. In 1981, a new pet food factory was built on the other side of the Leie River. Under the impetus of the current fourth generation, the company expanded its operations abroad. Source: Wikipedia

Under the banner "Road to LA 2028," the city of Deinze transformed the asphalt towpath on the left bank of the Leie River into a practice/competition zone for those who want to compete with friends (or, perhaps, just passing by) in a sprint event, the 400m, 800m, or 1200m, and the mile. There are marked start and finish lines in both directions, and even four numbered lanes for the sprint.

The Astenedreef connects the Goed te Gampelaere farm (to the west) and the Goed te Breeschoot castle farm (to the east). The unpaved avenue is approximately 770 meters long and 26 meters wide. At its western end, the avenue is marked by brick gate pillars. The Astenedreef was likely planted between 1775 and 1822. In all likelihood, there is no historical connection between the Gampelaerehoeve and the Astene castle grounds, but Count de Lichtervelde intended to connect his two properties—the castle and the farm. However, it is unclear when the Count acquired the properties. The avenue's expansion in 1855 could only be realized after the moat was straightened and a new entrance to the castle grounds was constructed during this period. Source: Inventory of Immovable Heritage

The parsonage of the Saint-Amandus and Saint-Job parish dates from 1853, as the facade stones next to the door (according to the Inventory of Immovable Heritage) once stated: "Chs. L. De Stoop, pastor, 1853" and "E. de Kerchove de Denterghem, mayor, 1853." I couldn't see these stones from the street. Have they been removed? The design (including the type of windows) and the location (at the back of a front garden enclosed by an iron gate) are typical of quite a few Flemish parsonages.

At Nieuwstraat 20: concrete post chapel with a monochrome brown/black statue of Our Lady with the child Jesus in her arms.