Ruien: Discover Forests, Scheldt Meanders and Cultural Heritage

Ruien combines wooded hills, historic river landscapes and unusual traces of cultural history. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Ruien will find a base here for all kinds of holiday activities: hikes through Kluisbos, cycling tours along former railway tracks and discoveries around the Scheldt, bridges and local history can be combined into a varied stay.

Kluisbos: Forest, Springs and Special Landscapes

The wooded Kluisberg, at 142.5 metres, is one of the high peaks of the Vlaamse Ardennen. It lies largely within Ruien: 203 of approximately 287 hectares belong to Ruien. The mountain is predominantly covered with pine, elm and oak trees; coppice and scrub interrupt the forest. More than two thirds of the 300-hectare Kluisbos is designated as freely accessible walking forest.

The forest offers more than just a continuous expanse of trees. Part of Kluisbos is designated as a forest reserve, where no human intervention takes place. In addition, numerous springs and pools form in Kluisbos and are popular with the rare fire salamander. The Peetje en Meetje rock formations are considered the base of an ancient sacrificial table and add a cultural-historical point of reference to the landscape.

Hiking and Cycling with Historical Traces

The Kluisbos walking route follows numerous paths through Kluisbos and passes, among other places, the former “Rechtbank” De Vierschaar. It therefore offers an opportunity to combine the landscape and traditional local history in a single activity. When planning your accommodation, the focus of your holiday is therefore a useful guide: if you are mainly looking for nature and exercise, Kluisbos takes centre stage. The 46-kilometre Eddy Merckx cycling route begins at Ruienplein in Ruien. Most of the route of the former railway line 85 between Leupegem and Spiere has been developed as a cycle path.

Between Berchem and Ruien, the former railway track of line 85 has retained its gravel substructure, including the rails and sleepers. This brings present-day cycling experiences together with visible reminders of the former railway.

Scheldt, Bridge and Cultural Heritage

The history of the Scheldt also shapes the surrounding area. The straightening of the river in the second half of the 19th century and subsequent canalisation works created several disconnected river meanders, which are now used as fishing ponds. The Scheldemeanders nabij Avelgem landscape area preserves former Scheldt meanders, known as Scheldt cut-offs, which bear witness to the course of the river in the 17th and 18th centuries.

A prominent landmark is the iron arch bridge Brug van de Waterhoek. It dates from the period after the Second World War, is known from Stijn Streuvels’ novel “De teleurgang van den Waterhoek” and connects Ruien in Kluisbergen with Avelgem. In addition, the ErfgoedApp offers the “Op tijdreis in Ruien” heritage tour, developed by SOLVA in 2023 as part of the “Vierkante meter: Iedereen archeoloog” project. The local architectural and commemorative heritage also includes the organ of Sint-Cornelius parish church; it is protected as a monument, with protection in force since 7 February 1980.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

Ruien is particularly suitable for travellers who do not want to limit their stay to a single attraction. You can combine a day of hiking in Kluisbos with a cycling tour starting at Ruienplein, or complement the landscape of the Scheldemeanders with historical themes and literary connections. When looking for accommodation, it is therefore worth deciding first whether forest paths, cycling routes or cultural heritage should be the main focus. For a further travel idea, you can also view Kwaremont.

For the overarching travel overview: Kluisbergen.