From het Leen to De Lieve hiking route
Extended route description
Provincial Domain Het Leen, a 273-hectare estate with a beautiful forest, is the ideal base for hiking. This route has a shorter family-friendly option and a longer option. Just a short walk around the forest, or an extra excursion to De Lieve added, it's up to you.
SHORT-CUT
Would you rather just do a short walk in Het Leen? Follow checkpoints 10-11-16-15-17-5-6-4-13-12-11-10 to do a 6.3 kilometre circuit.
ACCESSIBILITY
Wheelchair users and families with pushchairs can also easily get around here, as the surface is still paved in many places. A special play forest has also been built, as well as a large playground close to the car park. So feel free to come and let the kids romp around for a few hours too, without having to cross the entire domain.
Starting point Het Leen
Het Leen is the ideal provincial domain for those who want to delve into a forest world. What used to be a military domain has been transformed into a great destination for families, groups and schools, thanks to the creativity of the province. A flourishing forest of no less than 278 hectares on the territory of Zomergem, Waarschoot and Eeklo, a beautiful arboretum and a hiking area where you can get lost for hours: what more could you want?
Arboretum
The arboretum in Het Leen is internationally renowned for its magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and viburnums. The total collection contains more than 7,000 species and varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials. There is something to see in every season, with the winter bloomers topping the list during the winter season and the floral splendour of the rhododendrons and magnolias in spring.
Node 11 Forest information centre
You'll find answers to all your forest-related questions in the Forest Information Centre. Explore the 'explanation' room, the permanent and temporary exhibitions, or watch a multimedia presentation. Did you know that children can win the forest gnome diploma in Het Leen? At the Forest Information Centre, ask for directions to the Gnome Trail!
LOOK-OUT TOWER
In January 2020, a new look-out tower no less than 21 metres high was built opposite the entrance to the Forest Information Centre. From the platform, you have a nice view of Het Leen.
Node 7-99 De Lieve
From Het Leen, it is about a 5-kilometre walk to De Lieve, referred to as 't Liefken in the local parlance. This artificial water connection between Ghent and the North Sea - the first of its kind! - was dug in the 13th century. For a few centuries, De Lieve was of huge economic importance to Ghent, not least for its busy trade with England.
Node 99-1 Schipdonk Canal
From node 99, you head 2.3 kilometres along the Schipdonk Canal, which was dug in the 19th century to drain waste water from the flax industry into the North Sea. The canal got its nickname 'the stinker' from this malodorous industry. Fortunately, fish have returned to the area and the canal no longer emits foul smells.
Node 1 Oostwinkel bridge
You can head back to Het Leen via the Oostwinkel bridge. There are lovely views of the canal and the windmills in Eeklo!
7 wandelroutes met het mooiste uitzicht
