🏰 Ooidonk Castle & Riverside Hike

🏰 Ooidonk Castle & Riverside Hike | 7.7 km Nature Walk + New Connections 🌿

Escape the city. Discover a fairytale castle. Meet new people.

Looking for a refreshing weekend escape from Brussels? Join Sunday Vacations for a relaxed countryside hike around Ooidonk Castle, one of Flanders' most picturesque castles, near Deinze.

Imagine beautiful tree-lined avenues, peaceful riverside paths, charming Flemish farmhouses, and conversations with new friends along the way.

Whether you're new to Belgium, looking to expand your social circle, or simply want to spend more time outdoors, this is a lovely opportunity to reconnect with nature and like-minded people.

Come alone, leave with new connections! 💚

🌿 The Experience

Our adventure takes us through the beautiful countryside surrounding Ooidonk Castle, following a scenic 7.7 km circular walking route.

We'll start in the charming village of Bachte-Maria-Leerne, known for its white-painted houses and peaceful rural atmosphere.

From there, we'll discover the impressive surroundings of Ooidonk Castle, walk along the edge of Ooidonk Forest, and follow the beautiful waterways of the River Leie and Oude Leie.

Along the way, we'll take time to enjoy the scenery, capture some photos, and get to know each other.

This isn't a race or a demanding sports challenge. It's about slowing down, discovering somewhere beautiful, and enjoying a Sunday together.

🌍 Event Type

🌍 Community Event — Nature, Culture & Social Connection

📍 Location: Bachte-Maria-Leerne, Deinze, East Flanders
🥾 Distance: 7.7 km circular route
⏱️ Walking time: approximately 2 hours
🕒 Total experience: approximately 2.5–3 hours, excluding optional drinks
💚 Difficulty: Easy
🌳 Terrain: Paved country lanes, gravel paths and some unpaved sections
🗣️ Language: English, with all nationalities welcome
👥 Solo participants: Very welcome!

✨ Highlights

🏰 Discover Ooidonk Castle — Admire one of Flanders' most beautiful historic castles and its picturesque surroundings.

🌳 Walk beside Ooidonk Forest — Enjoy peaceful, tree-lined avenues and beautiful countryside.

🌊 Follow the River Leie — Discover scenic waterside paths along the Leie and Oude Leie.

🏡 Explore authentic Flemish countryside — Pass traditional white-painted farmhouses, fields, and quiet rural roads.

🤝 Meet international people — Connect with expats, locals, and fellow nature lovers in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

☕ Optional post-hike drink — Finish the experience with a drink or snack together at a local brasserie.

🗺️ Our Walking Plan

1. Welcome & introductions (15 minutes)

We'll meet near the parish church in Bachte-Maria-Leerne, introduce ourselves, and share a few practical details before starting our walk.

1. Ooidonk Castle & tree-lined avenues (30–40 minutes)

Our route takes us towards the beautiful Ooidonk Castle, where we'll stop to admire its architecture and take photos.

An optional visit to the castle gardens may be possible depending on opening hours and admission conditions.

1. Ooidonk Forest & the River Leie (45–60 minutes)

We'll continue along peaceful avenues and countryside paths towards the Leie and Oude Leie waterways, enjoying the scenery and conversation.

1. Flemish countryside & return (40–50 minutes)

We'll walk through rural landscapes, passing fields and traditional farmhouses before returning to our starting point.

1. Optional social drink (30–60 minutes)

For anyone who would like to stay a little longer, we'll suggest a relaxed drink or snack at Brasserie De Sterre, subject to availability.

A lovely opportunity to continue conversations and get to know your fellow hikers!

Timing is approximate and may change depending on the group's pace and conditions.

📍 Meeting Point

Parish Church (Parochiekerk)
Bachte-Maria-Leerne, 9570 Deinze, Belgium

Please arrive 10–15 minutes before the announced starting time.

🚗 By car: Street parking is available nearby, subject to local restrictions and availability.

🚆 By public transport: Travel to Deinze railway station and check onward bus connections towards Bachte-Maria-Leerne.

We will suggest a train departure. Participants arrange their own transport. Carpooling from Brussels or other cities may be coordinated informally between participants.

💶 Price & Contribution

Community contribution: €5 per participant (free for Voyager and Ambassador members)

This contribution supports volunteer coordination, community activities, and the ongoing development of Sunday Vacations.

The contribution does not include transportation, food, drinks, castle admission, or other third-party services.

The countryside walk itself does not require a castle admission ticket.

Optional expenses are paid directly to the relevant providers.

VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code.

💚 Sunday Vacations Membership

Sunday Vacations is more than a hiking group. We're a community of curious people who enjoy discovering new places and building meaningful connections.

Our annual membership options are:

🌱 Explorer — €5/year: Discover the community and join our activities.
🌍 Voyager — €50/year: For people who want to participate regularly and become more involved.
⭐ Ambassador — €150/year: For members who want to support the community and its development.

Membership benefits and any event-specific discounts are subject to the published membership conditions.

You don't need to know anyone before joining. Everyone starts somewhere!

👥 Who Is This For?

This experience is ideal for:

International professionals and expats living in Belgium
Locals who enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds
Solo joiners looking to make new friends
Nature lovers and casual hikers
Anyone wanting a relaxed break from city life

You don't need to be an experienced hiker, but you should be comfortable walking approximately 8 km at a relaxed group pace.

🎒 What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Water and a small snack
Weather-appropriate clothing and a rain jacket
A charged phone
Some money for optional drinks or refreshments
Your curiosity and a friendly attitude! 😊

⚠️ Important Notes

The event takes place outdoors and is weather-dependent.
Some paths may be muddy or slippery after rain.
Participants should assess their own fitness and mobility before joining.
The route includes roads shared with local traffic and agricultural vehicles.
Please respect private property, wildlife, and the natural environment.
Castle or garden visits are optional and depend on opening times and admission conditions.
The itinerary may be adjusted for safety, weather, or practical reasons.
Please update your RSVP if you can no longer attend so another community member may join.

⚖️ Legal Disclaimer

Sunday Vacations is a community initiative operated by UJAMAA ASBL, a Brussels-based nonprofit association.

This is a volunteer-coordinated community walking activity, not a packaged holiday or commercial travel service.

Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the COCOF volunteer insurance framework.

The scope of insurance coverage is subject to the applicable policy conditions, insured persons, and eligibility requirements. Participants should maintain appropriate personal health and accident insurance.

Any transportation, food, beverages, admission tickets, or other third-party services are provided independently by their respective operators. Participants arrange and pay for these services directly unless expressly stated otherwise.

Participants are responsible for following safety instructions, respecting local regulations, and assessing their ability to participate.

💚 Ready to Join Us?

Sometimes the best way to spend a Sunday is simply to get outside, discover somewhere new, and share the experience with good company.

Come for the castle and countryside. Stay for the conversations and connections.

👉 RSVP now and join Sunday Vacations for a beautiful walk around Ooidonk!

🌿 Discover more. Connect naturally. Live the moment.

Sunday Vacations | A community initiative by UJAMAA ASBL