The best running trails around Galmaarden

Galmaarden's station building was built in 1867, demolished in 1999, and replaced by a new one in 2000. The new station building's facade symbolizes two mine shaft elevator towers. In front of the building stands a coal cart on the right and a statue of a miner on the left. The statue of the miner was commissioned in 1991 by the non-profit organization De Mijnwerkers (The Miners). It symbolizes the hard work of thousands of miners, but also pays tribute to the workers in the glass and metal industries. It is a work by Luc van Ruysevelt from Oudenaken. The statue depicts a miner, in a half-sitting, half-reclining position, cutting coal in a narrow shaft. (Wikipedia)

Iconic to ride here.

There are many different attractions around Gaverplas lake. People can be seen fishing on the lakeside banks. There is a big fountain, restaurants, bars and cafes. Many different paddle boats are at the main building section. Good new gravel tracks go around the lake. It is a popular area as the campsite is connected also and local people pass through

The Raspaillebos has five marked walks: Natural Gas Walk (7.7 km), Farmland Landscape (4 km), Raspaillebos Walk (3.7 km), Window on the Landscape (2.5 km), and Bosberg Walk (2 km). (Agency for Nature & Forests)

"The Wall of Geraardsbergen"—who doesn't know it? It's a true classic in Flemish cycling. This iconic climb was a popular event in the Tour of Flanders for many years. A stretch of about 1100 meters takes you to the summit of the Oudenberg, at an altitude of 110 meters. From here, you have a magnificent view of the region and the famous chapel.

O Wall, you proud stone back, with cobblestones crooked and steep and unyielding, where many a cyclist climbs with toil, and every step belies the will. You wind narrowly through green splendor, a climb that has brought heroes, where sweat and hope embrace, and legs tremble without shame. No mountain so low, no wall so high, as you that arched through the centuries, where Flanders cheers on every side, and wind embraces the cyclist's heart. You are not a road, you are a battle, a victory, painful and liberating, a test of courage, a torture, but also a song, a lifelong one. Whoever climbs you with firm understanding, feels fire and flame in heart and hand, for on your summit, so proud, so clear, proudly waits, year after year. O Wall, you are a living song, that sees through every cycling soul — an ode to the power of man and wheel, you are a wall, but also a soul.

Oudeberg Castle is situated on a beautiful four-hectare estate, perched atop the Oudeberg hill, just behind the Holy Chapel and bordering the iconic Wall of Geraardsbergen. Over the years, the estate has undergone remarkable evolution. Its current, almost fairytale-like appearance is the result of this long history. The castle's origins likely date back to a modest farmstead with accompanying stables, once owned by linen merchant and later banker Jean-François Spitaels. The characterful appearance of the castle as we know it today is largely the work of Felix Spitaels, who carried out extensive expansions between 1890 and 1895. In 1903-1904, thanks to notary Désiré De Clercq, the building took on an even more authentic castle-like appearance. Later, the estate came into the hands of the Blicken and Putseys families. Since 2003, it has been owned by Mr. Alain Corneille, who meticulously restored the property to its original grandeur.

The Chapel of Our Lady in Oudenberg is a neo-Baroque pilgrimage site from the early 20th century, built to replace a 17th-century predecessor. It houses a valuable wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and stands on a historic pilgrimage and storytelling site dating back to the 13th century. The location is also a popular attraction for both pilgrims and cycling enthusiasts.