West Flanders (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – West Flanders opens its largest hiking network in the Leie Valley today, Dec 3, 2025, spanning nearly 270 km from Menen to Harelbeke with 240 junctions for customizable trails.
As VRT News reported, West Flanders has launched its largest hiking network in the Leie Valley today, Dec 3, 2025. The trails run from Menen to Harelbeke and follow the Leie River. They connect towns, villages, and green spaces along the river. The routes are designed for hikers of all levels. Jurgen Valerberghe, Deputy for Tourism in West Flanders, said the Leie River is the main link connecting the network.
What makes West Flanders’ Leie Valley hiking network the largest?
The new West Flanders Leie Valley walking network now links Kortrijk, Menen, Harelbeke, Kuurne, Zwevegem, and Wevelgem. The trails connect major nature reserves, including Bergelen in Wevelgem and De Gavers in Harelbeke. At the same time, the historic centre of Kortrijk is included in the route.
Officials noted that the walking network focuses on providing visitors with a complete experience. The routes offer riverside views, historic landmarks, and cultural sites along the way.
“We wanted people to be able to enjoy beautiful landscapes, because we weren’t aiming to break the world record for “walking along busy regional roads.” So you search for special places. Where is that old church path, and is it still accessible? Or can we make it accessible again? That requires negotiation.”
“And once the plans are ready, the physical work follows. Installing more than 1,200 posts and nearly 3,000 signs, none of which are the same. It’s a feat, but we succeeded,”
concludes Vanlerberghe
The idea to improve walking and cycling in the Leie Valley began in 2018 with the Masterplan Fiets ten noorden van de Leie. The plan aimed to connect towns. Over the years, the region added new paths, including the Oude Leie wandelroute. In 2025, authorities developed the West-Vlaamse Leievallei walking network. Signposts and junctions were installed throughout the year.
