Exploring the Hotond: A Must-Visit Peak in East Flanders

When we were recently in Ronse for a hockey match at hockey club Hermes we had some time on our hands before the game started. We decided to cross the street and go for a walk towards the Hotond. With a height of 150 metres this is the highest point in the province of East Flanders and it is mainly famous as part of de Ronde van Vlaanderen. In terms of steepness the Hotond is not the most challenging climb of de Ronde but it played a prominent role a few times as the place where the decisive escape that lead to victory was made. It is famous with cyclists, so much so that at the beginning of the Scherpenberg there is a line on the road indicating the start of the Strava section. We walked and were happy we weren’t on a bike. Some sections are OK but there are a few quite steep parts as well. Somewhere halfway we came to the Hotond forrest but we didn’t have time to go all the way to the top. The view at the forrest entrance was quite inviting and we were told later that at the top there is a cafe where you can have a break and enjoy the view. Next time we are in the neighbourhood we plan to make the complete climb. On foot is is OK, not too difficult, on a bike I am sure I would be suffering to make it to the top.