6 x hiking and cycling past original playgrounds

The 'grown-up' version of our Muziekbos walk is about 10 kilometres, but the route can be shortened to 5.7 kilometres. The shorter circuit takes you into the heart of Muziekbos, and is completely buggy-proof despite the small and unpaved trails.

PLAY AREA WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS

Muziekbos seems like it was made for the smallest hikers. You will bump into a fairytale tower in the middle of the forest, you can stop for a pancake or ice cream at Bistro Boekzitting, and near hiking node 36, you will find a play area with natural wooden play elements. Get climbing and scrambling! As icing on the cake, the circuit begins and ends at the IJsmolenhoeve, a holiday park with a huge playground, height course, petting zoo and brasserie. You can spend the night there, but you can also just stop by.

From the Watersportbaan, the Lys and the Lower Scheldt to the Lieve, the Brugsevaart and the Nieuwevaart: Ghent's waters will keep you company on this ride through and around the city.

BAREFOOT TRAIL in THE Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen AND ADVENTURE IN THE Blaarmeersen

Start and finish at the Blaarmeersen, where a real adventure forest awaits you with fairytale-like structures, climbing rocks and a balance course. Besides the adventure forest, you will also find a 'regular' playground, the swimming pond with a beach and several restaurants.

Between nodes 68 and 93, you'll cycle along the Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen. Be sure to get off your bike to explore this area. Next to the visitors' centre, near the main entrance on Driepikkelstraat, is a barefoot trail. After all that romping, you can also head to the visitors' centre for a tasty biodrink or Fairtrade snack.

This short walking circuit was named after Roger Raveel, the famous artist who lived and worked in Machelen-aan-de-Leie. So an artistic route, but beautiful nature spots will win over even those who have nothing to do with art.

ADVENTURE ISLAND AND PLAYGROUND AT MACHELENPUT

The most idyllic spot on the route is undoubtedly Machelenput, an old severed arm of the Lys around which an area of nature has formed. For the little ones, there are two play areas around Machelenput: on one bank, a play meadow with numerous pieces of equipment, and on the other bank, an adventure island with a challenging climbing and scrambling course. More fun: you can get from one play area to another with a little ferry on which you pull yourself across. You can recover from all that playing at the child-friendly brasserie De Afspanning or at ice cream parlour 't Leiebolleke.

The Molsbroek-Buylaers hiking route in Lokeren is 11 kilometres, but can easily be shortened. For the long version, you start in the centre of Lokeren to walk through the De Buylaers area of nature to the Molsbroek. For the short 4.5-kilometre version, start at the visitors' centre to do only the Molsbroek. Both the short and long circuits are completely buggy-proof.

NATURE GARDEN at molsbroek visitors' centre

In the Molsbroek, a higher dyke winds along the ditches and marshes. Stunning views of the surrounding countryside assured! Children can also have all the fun in the world on this walk, as a nature garden was recently created. In addition to natural play elements for climbing and scrambling, you will also find some insect hotels and fun picnic spots in the greenery. Combat thirst afterwards with a local drink at the visitors' centre.

In the Zwalm region, it seems as though time has stood still. Think: water mills, postcard villages with farmhouses and authentic cafés (tips include Klein Zwitserland and De Casino). Ideal for a short bike ride, and your kids can just tag along. For example, you'll pass by a water play feature at the Zwalmmolen in Munkzwalm, where your children will learn through play how the flow of a river causes a mill to start turning.

De Kaaihoeve with a barefoot path and 'play area' 

The highlight on the circuit is the provincial nature education centre De Kaaihoeve, located in the middle of the Kaaimeersen area of nature. The little ones will have fun in the 'play area' here, a natural one with a willow hut, giant Mikado and natural musical instruments. Or venture down the barefoot trail together, which, by the way, is the shortest barefoot trail in Flanders. Short but sweet, as one experience follows another here.

Our walk in the Lembeekse Bossen, which you can shorten to a child-friendly 4.4 kilometres, guarantees plenty of variety: woods, stately hiking avenues surrounded by meadows and cosy little restaurants are to be found in turn here. You will find the latter especially at your starting and finishing point the Heihoek, a real catering hub with cosy terraces and playgrounds. You can visit some well-known child-friendly catering establishments such as Barbos, Ter Burchgraeve and Malpertuus. 

Play forest with adventure course

Between hiking nodes 35 and 34, you'll bump into a play area in the woods. Let your imagination run wild and make a bow and arrow with branches, or brave the adventure course with wooden equipment.