Steenbergse bossen

Steenbergse bossen is a wooded and agricultural landscape south of Zottegem, spread across the former municipalities of Erwetegem and Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove in East Flanders, Belgium.

Where exactly is Steenbergse bossen located?

The area sits in the Flemish Ardennes (Vlaamse Ardennen), just south of the town center of Zottegem, spanning parts of two of its sub-municipalities, Erwetegem and Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove. Its approximate coordinates are 50.846°N, 3.800°E. The reserve follows the valleys of two small watercourses, the Erwetegemse beek and the Karnemelkbeek, which give the terrain its rolling, valley-cut character.

What does the landscape look like?

The area is a mosaic of woodland, fields, meadows, hedgerows and hawthorn thickets, threaded through with small spring-fed streams. The undulating terrain around the valleys of the Erwetegemse beek, Traveinsbeek and Karnemelkbeek creates varied conditions, from damp seepage zones to drier, forested slopes. This kind of landscape is typical of the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly region in the south of East Flanders.

What is the history behind this forest?

During the 19th century, the area was almost entirely cleared of trees, mainly to make way for farmland. Reforestation followed relatively quickly afterward. Modern conservation efforts gained momentum in the 2010s: in 2015 and 2016, the nature organization Natuurpunt acquired additional plots of land, and further tree-planting campaigns took place in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, often involving volunteers. Today the reserve, covering roughly 30 hectares, is managed by Natuurpunt's local Zwalmvallei branch.

Why is this area ecologically significant?

The site's ecological richness stems largely from its unusually varied subsoil, which includes as many as 26 different soil types within the reserve. This geological diversity supports a wide range of plant and animal life. In spring, the forest floor is often carpeted with wood anemones in bloom. Wildlife found in the area includes roe deer, foxes and slow worms, a legless lizard species often mistaken for a snake.

What can visitors do at Steenbergse bossen?

The area is open to walkers and cyclists, with several marked routes laid out by local tourism organizations, ranging from shorter loops of around 5.5 to 6.5 kilometers to longer walks of about 7.5 kilometers. The trails pass through woodland, follow the small streams, and skirt the edges of fields and meadows, offering a mix of forest scenery and the open farmland typical of this part of Flanders.

How do you get to the reserve?

Steenbergse bossen lies just south of the center of Zottegem, within the sub-municipalities of Erwetegem and Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove. The town of Zottegem promotes it as one of several green spaces worth visiting on foot or by bike, alongside other nature areas in the wider Flemish Ardennes region.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Steenbergse bossen located? South of Zottegem, within the sub-municipalities of Erwetegem and Sint-Goriks-Oudenhove, in the East Flanders province of Belgium.

How large is the reserve? It covers roughly 30 hectares, managed by the Zwalmvallei branch of the Natuurpunt nature organization.

What animals can be found here? Roe deer, foxes and slow worms are present, and wood anemones create a notable spring bloom across the forest floor.

Are there marked walking trails through the forest? Yes, marked routes of roughly 5.5 to 7.5 kilometers run through the woods, stream valleys and surrounding fields.