6 hiking routes through provincial domains

Park at Car Park 2 (at Stenenbrug) and follow the Zuidlede river for this trip full of variety in the neighbourhood, as well as through one of East Flanders' most popular provincial domains: Puyenbroeck. On your route: the Etbos Bridge and the romantic jetty nearby, the nature reserve De Eenbes and, of course, Puyenbroeck itself, with the forests and the Living Heritage Park as major attractions.

Out and about with the little ones? Follow nodes 7-14-13-12-10-9-8-6-7 to arrive at a 4.4 kilometre walk right through Puyenbroeck. Would you like to carry on walking? Then combine this route with the Kruis Chapel route, and at node 47 continue to follow the Zuidlede to node 39.

Off to the top hiking region of the Flemish Ardennes for a day at De Gavers, the versatile recreational domain in Geraardsbergen. The whole domain has paved paths that are accessible for buggies and wheelchairs. Ending your walk with a few laps is also possible, as the Gavers pool is open. Do book your tickets in advance!

Would you like even more nature? With our route in De Nuchten nature reserve, you feel far away from the world for a while. Raspaillebos is also nearby, another dream location for a nice walk.

Whoever talks about Overmere, in the same breath says the popular hotspot 'the Donk' and the Nieuwdonk provincial domain. Strolling around this 86-hectare lake, created from the peat extraction pits of the 17th and 18th centuries, is enjoyable in any season.

The accessible Donkmeer route leads you comfortably around the water; with the Turfput walking route you follow the trail of former peat-cutters through Berlare Broek, a gem of an area of nature along a forgotten meander from long ago. Beware – it can get muddy on the Turfput hiking route. So if you want an accessible route, stick to the Donkmeer hiking route.

Het Leen is among the places for beautiful forest walks in Meetjesland, as former military land with paved hiking lanes and dirt roads. The former ensure that wheelchair-users and families with buggies can also comfortably cover a good part of the walks.

Above all, leave your Thermos and picnic at home when you come to walk out here! Het Leen's local cafeteria will warm you up with home-made goodies every day from 10am to 5pm: from poffertjes to haute dogs to pulled chicken sandwiches.

The provincial nature education centre De Kaaihoeve is your base for a walk along Zwalm's most charming villages: Meilegem, Beerlegem, Dikkele and Paulatem. In between, the Munkbosbeek winds through the hilly landscape, quietly surrounded by fields, groves and grasslands.

The farm building itself remains closed due to coronavirus, but around it, among other things, lies the playground waiting to be discovered, a natural play area with willow wood, giant mikado and natural musical instruments.