Cycling along De Linie

Via the cycling path on the Koningdijk, you'll ride from the Spaans Kwartier district and Fort Bedmar toward Kieldrecht. This attractive dike, with its planted poplars, lies right on the Belgium-Netherlands border and was built following the Peace of Münster, which ended the Eighty Years' War in 1648. A few hundred meters past the intersection with the Polderstraat, you'll notice on your right a rectangular strip of land with a large pond, a flagpole and a farmhouse. This was where Fort Spinola stood, a Spanish fort overlooking the polders between De Klinge and Hulst. Nothing remains of the fort, but an information board on the bike path provides more information about it.

A little south of Kieldrecht, you'll come to the Drijdijk and get a view of the Waaslandhaven. Drijdijck, the nature reserve in the middle, is a feast for the eyes, with grazing wild horses and, with a bit of luck, tufted ducks, lapwings, mute swans and marsh harriers. The contrast with the greenery underneath your feet and the industry rising above it makes this place very photogenic. The business you can see is Antwerp Euroterminal, the market leader in overseas transport of rolling cargo. Other large companies in the area include Tabaknatie and ITC Rubis. The new Kieldrecht lock brings sea-going vessels to their unloading docks via a shorter route.

This creek area, stretching across Sint-Gillis-Waas, Meerdonk and Vrasene, forms a winding string of small and large lakes, reed beds, willow groves and swamps, often with their own names. The view at checkpoint 75 of the Oude Saleghem channel and the fishermen's cottages is breathtaking! Further along the Krekeldijk is Nature House Panneweel, an old farmyard from where Natuurpunt Waasland Noord organises guided walks along the creeks. A pleasant picnic spot!