Discover Kortrijk
The medieval ’City of the Golden Spurs’ is definitly worth discovering!
The medieval ’City of the Golden Spurs’ is definitly worth discovering!
Nature and Green Spaces in and around Kortrijk
Kortrijk and the surrounding region offer several urban parks, forests and ecologically valuable nature areas. Below you will find a selection of pleasant places for walking, cycling, relaxing and enjoying nature.
Parks in the City Centre
Begijnhofpark
A peaceful, car-free park in the historic centre of Kortrijk, close to the Beguinage and the Church of Our Lady. It is an ideal place for a short walk or a quiet moment surrounded by greenery.
Groeningepark
A green urban oasis of approximately 2,000 m², featuring a nature island, flowers, a meeting area and a playground.
Kortrijk Weide Ecological City Park
An ecologically designed park of approximately 2.5 hectares, located close to the River Lys. The park combines recreation with a strong focus on biodiversity, water management and sustainable green-space maintenance.
Nature Areas in Kortrijk
Stadsgroen Marionetten
A large ecological and recreational nature area situated in the southern green belt of Kortrijk. It consists of woodland, meadows, ponds, open spaces and walking trails. The entire area covers approximately 86 hectares.
Preshoekbos
A varied woodland and nature area located between Kortrijk, Marke and Aalbeke. It is known for its flower meadows, distinctive plants, birdlife and rolling landscape.
The area offers several walking trails, a play area and a family discovery walk of approximately 3.3 kilometres.
Kleiputten ’t Hoge
A former clay extraction site that has developed into an ecologically valuable nature area. It includes approximately 2 hectares of protected nature and 4 hectares of publicly accessible parkland.
The entrance is located near De Steenoven, at the corner of Schaapsdreef and Sint-Denijseweg.
Rotersmeers in Bissegem
A small nature area of approximately 2.16 hectares along the River Lys, accessible via the towpath. It is managed by Natuurpunt Kortrijk and contains more than one thousand planted shrubs and several mature trees.
Stadsgroen Ghellinck in Bissegem
An ecological park of approximately 9 hectares, with young woodland areas, grasslands and space for local flora and fauna. The area is owned by the City of Kortrijk and Natuurpunt and is open to visitors.
Swimming and Relaxing by the Water
De Gavers Provincial Domain – Harelbeke
De Gavers is a large recreational and nature area with a lake, woodland, walking trails, playgrounds and a visitor centre. Gaver Lake has a designated swimming area and a sunbathing lawn.
In July and August, the swimming area is normally open every day from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. In May, June and September, it may also open at weekends when the weather is favourable and lifeguards are present.
In 2026, the swimming season will exceptionally continue until 20 September. Swimming is only permitted within the designated swimming area.
Walking and Cycling
The West Flanders Lys Valley walking network connects Kortrijk with several nature areas, including De Gavers, Preshoekbos, Bergelen and the surrounding Lys region.
The network includes approximately 240 junctions and 268 kilometres of walking routes.
Discover the Green Spaces Around Kortrijk
Kortrijk has several urban parks and valuable nature areas. For a short walk in or near the city centre, you can visit Begijnhofpark, Groeningepark or the Kortrijk Weide ecological city park.
For a longer nature walk, we recommend Stadsgroen Marionetten, Preshoekbos, Kleiputten ’t Hoge or the nature areas located along the River Lys.
Guests who would like to swim or relax by the water can visit De Gavers Provincial Domain in Harelbeke. Swimming is only permitted within the designated swimming area.
Protect Nature
Please help us protect these fragile natural areas:
Toursist Office Kortrijk, Begijnhofpark, 8500 Kortrijk
tel. +3256277840 - www.toerismekortrijk.be
(less than 100m away from the hotel)
And for those who can’t get their shopping or cultural hunger satisfied stilled in Kortrijk there’s Bruges, Gent or Lille, only half an hour away by train (www.b-rail.be)
The Lys Valley is a very diverse region. Take a peak in one of the inspiration brochures below & plan your trip to this very beautiul region.