3 hiking routes along creeks

The Kruibeke Creek hiking route is another walk where you can fully enjoy the typical polder landscape around Kruibeke. The walk starts at the Basel church and then cuts across the central section of the Polders of Kruibeke. A diverse environment that caters to hikers looking for peace, nature, creeks and even a touch of port industry.

One moment you'll be viewing a scene in which the changing tidal nature plays the leading role. Moments later, you'll almost get lost in alder carr forests full of rare fauna.

SPOTTING BIRDS, DEER AND BEAVERS

Is bird-watching your thing? Then you'll find what you're looking for here. The banks of the creeks are the dream breeding and wintering place for numerous meadow and water birds.

Not to mention the deer and beavers that are becoming more and more comfortable here. Here you can experience in real-time how nature will reclaim its place, if you only give it the chance.

Assenede boasts one of the most beautiful creek networks in this country. That makes the area a draw for nature-lovers and peace-seeking hikers. But thanks to the relatively unknown spots, it's never over the top here.

This hike is part of the Meetjesland Creeks hiking network. It also shows the beauty of local, typical nature in its purest form. Sounds all very poetic, but you will still mainly appreciate the tranquillity and the vast creek landscapes. 

WALKING ALONG GULLIES AND CHANNELS 

The route will take you along the Great and Red Gully, followed by a visit to the Little Gully, the Great Channel and then the Little Channel. Be sure to keep your eyes open here and bring your binoculars along. The Great and Red Gully cover several hectares of reed-covered banks, where wading and stilted birds are only too happy to nest.

The whole wide area is full of fun surprises that will add some spice to your trip. These include some picturesque villages among the beautiful polders on the Dutch border, where you can always stop for a tasty snack or a fresh pick-me-up. During this hike you will also pass the Hollandse Gat and the Grote Kilkreek. Two more ponds that lie hushed in the landscape.

The creeks of Sint-Laureins are perhaps the most famous in the entire country. This is due in no small part to their picturesque atmosphere. Do you want to discover them? Then this hiking route will suit you well.

After all, this trail runs straight from St Laureins to the creeks. It is also part of the Meetjesland Creeks hiking network. The typically pleasant silence immediately pushes life's pause button. Nature itself will surprise you non-stop. So not a time for daydreaming, but rather for enjoying and absorbing this unique environment to the full.

The creek area of Sint-Laureins and the surrounding areas are very extensive and run across the Dutch border. Because nature has been given free rein here, it is flourishing as never before – fauna and flora at the same time.

AWAY FROM CIVILISATION WALK

Of course, the creeks and water surfaces are well represented in the landscape. But the animals, shrubs and flowers that grow here also add some spice to this hike. Here, as a nature-lover, you can still truly feel that you have left civilisation far behind. Escaping for a moment to relax? You get that feeling here.

Here, for a while, man had the illusion of gaining control over the sea and nature. But it was nature that won the race. This is shown in rich nature, where at the same time the presence of the sea is still felt everywhere.

There are hundreds of birds hiding here. These include the reed warbler, bluethroat and marsh harrier. You're on their turf here, not the other way around. So always walk down the footpaths with due respect.