About this place
Pyreneeën-Tombele is a nature reserve within the city of Ronse, in the Vlaamse Ardennen (Flemish Ardennes) region of the East Flanders province, right on the border with the municipality of Ellezelles. The name "Pyreneeën" ("Pyrenees") is a playful reference to the steepness of the local hills, a feature typical of the whole Vlaamse Ardennen range, where modest changes in elevation give the flat Flemish landscape an almost mountainous feel. The "Tombele" part carries historical weight instead: it refers to an old burial ground, where local inhabitants once laid their dead to rest on this open, elevated plateau.
What kind of landscape does the reserve have?
The reserve sits in the classic undulating countryside of the Vlaamse Ardennen, where small patches of woodland alternate with open fields and meadows. This mix of habitats is what makes the area so rich ecologically — more than 140 plant species have been recorded here, and the variety of microhabitats supports a correspondingly diverse range of animal life.
Which animals live in Pyreneeën-Tombele?
Among the mammals recorded in the reserve are hedgehogs, roe deer, foxes, squirrels and weasels. The area is also home to several amphibian species, including fire salamanders, brown frogs and common toads — a sign of how varied the terrain is at a fairly small scale, from damp hollows to dry, exposed grassland patches.
Who manages the site and how can it be visited?
The reserve is managed by Natuurpunt, Flanders' largest nature conservation organisation, which maintains a network of paths through the area for visitors. Thanks to its location close to the city of Ronse and just a short distance from the language border with Wallonia (the municipality of Ellezelles), the reserve is easy to reach both for local residents and for visitors exploring this part of the Flemish Ardennes.
Why is it worth a visit?
Pyreneeën-Tombele brings together several layers rarely found in such a small area: genuine botanical and faunal richness, a historical trace of past burial practices preserved in its very name, and the distinctively hilly terrain that earned the site its nickname of the "Pyrenees." It makes for a quiet, hill-country walk away from the crowds, appealing to anyone looking to experience the nature typical of south-eastern Flanders, close to the linguistic border with Wallonia.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Pyreneeën-Tombele located? The reserve lies within the city of Ronse, in East Flanders province, right on the border with the municipality of Ellezelles.
Where does the reserve's name come from? "Pyreneeën" refers to the steep, undulating terrain, while "Tombele" refers to a former burial ground used by the area's earlier inhabitants.
What plants and animals can be seen there? The site hosts more than 140 plant species along with animals such as hedgehogs, roe deer, foxes, squirrels and weasels, plus fire salamanders, brown frogs and common toads.
Who manages the reserve? Pyreneeën-Tombele is managed by Natuurpunt, the nature conservation organisation active across Flanders.
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