Hiking in areas of nature around Ghent
Fancy hiking in the green areas around Ghent, but want something different from green oases like the Bourgoyen or the Gentbrugse Meersen? A little further away, some lesser-known but no less beautiful stretches of nature await you too, surrounded by the waters of the Lys, the Scheldt or the Oude Kale.
We mapped out 4 walking routes in the 4 most beautiful areas of nature around Ghent, with some tips for fun sights and cosy restaurants. In each case, we also tell you how to get there by bike or public transport from Ghent.
Assels hiking route
Off to a surprisingly green corner of Ghent for a trip between the villages of Drongen and Afsnee, shaped by nature through the waters of the Lys.
ACCESSIBILITY
The walk starts at Drongenplein in Drongen. You get there from Korenmarkt by bus 17 or 18 (25 minutes), or by bike (20 minutes). From Gent-Sint-Pieters station, take bus 14 or 15 (20 minutes), the train (13 minutes) or cycle (15 minutes).
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
On this route, you'll largely be walking through the Assels area of nature. This natural floodplain of the Lys is a paradise for meadow birds, ducks and snipes. Kestrels, buzzards and sparrows are regulars here throughout the year. So bring your binoculars!
Near the village of Afsnee, you will find Philippe's charming ferry service. Every year, the ferryman takes some 45,000 cyclists and hikers across. Tip: on the other side, you can pick up the Afsnee-Keuze Route (see hike 2 in this article) and make it a 15-kilometre trip.
HOSPITALITY tip
Along the banks of the Lys, walk past café Oude Drie Leien, with a tiny and highly sought-after terrace overlooking the water.
Off to a surprisingly green corner of Ghent for a trip between the villages of Drongen and Afsnee, shaped by nature through the waters of the Lys.
ACCESSIBILITY
The walk starts at Drongenplein in Drongen. You get there from Korenmarkt by bus 17 or 18 (25 minutes), or by bike (20 minutes). From Gent-Sint-Pieters station, take bus 14 or 15 (20 minutes), the train (13 minutes) or cycle (15 minutes).
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
On this route, you'll largely be walking through the Assels area of nature. This natural floodplain of the Lys is a paradise for meadow birds, ducks and snipes. Kestrels, buzzards and sparrows are regulars here throughout the year. So bring your binoculars!
Near the village of Afsnee, you will find Philippe's charming ferry service. Every year, the ferryman takes some 45,000 cyclists and hikers across. Tip: on the other side, you can pick up the Afsnee-Keuze Route (see hike 2 in this article) and make it a 15-kilometre trip.
HOSPITALITY tip
Along the banks of the Lys, walk past café Oude Drie Leien, with a tiny and highly sought-after terrace overlooking the water.
- Address
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Drongenplein
9031 Drongen
- Length
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5,9 km
- Time
-
1u 10m
- Terrain
-
45% Paved
- Actions
-
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Afsnee-Keuze hiking route
After the Assels, fancy some more of the Lys region? Quite right! A ferry ride away, the Afsnee-Keuze route connects the picturesque village of Afsnee to the Keuze Marshes area of nature. Here, narrow paths lead through a landscape filled with canals, rows of pollard willows and fields of flowers.
ACCESSIBILITY
The starting point of this route, Afsnee Village, can be reached from Gent Sint-Pieters station by bus 34 or 35 (20 minutes) or by bike (15 minutes). From the Korenmarkt, it takes 20 minutes by bike.
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
In the spring, the wet hay and meadows of the Beelaertmeersen and Keuzemeersen are a sight to behold. King-cup flowers, whitemallow and cuckoo flowers provide a colourful pallet, and here and there, thousands of plants of the greater yellow-ratle colour the grasslands all in yellow. Nature at its most beautiful!
Across the Lys, Sint-Martens-Latem, with its chic villas in every style, is among the most beautiful – and expensive – municipalities in the country. From the hiking footpath, you can admire some of them in all their glory. Sit yourself down on the bench at the Leiebocht for the best view.
HOSPITALITY tip
In the village of Afsnee, you'll find restaurant Nenuphar. On the summer terrace, an instant holiday feeling will come over you, away from all the hustle and bustle. According to Michelin, this is the most beautiful terrace in Ghent! This charm did not escape artist Gustave De Smet either. He immortalised the landscape in the interior, to be admired while dining.
After the Assels, fancy some more of the Lys region? Quite right! A ferry ride away, the Afsnee-Keuze route connects the picturesque village of Afsnee to the Keuze Marshes area of nature. Here, narrow paths lead through a landscape filled with canals, rows of pollard willows and fields of flowers.
ACCESSIBILITY
The starting point of this route, Afsnee Village, can be reached from Gent Sint-Pieters station by bus 34 or 35 (20 minutes) or by bike (15 minutes). From the Korenmarkt, it takes 20 minutes by bike.
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
In the spring, the wet hay and meadows of the Beelaertmeersen and Keuzemeersen are a sight to behold. King-cup flowers, whitemallow and cuckoo flowers provide a colourful pallet, and here and there, thousands of plants of the greater yellow-ratle colour the grasslands all in yellow. Nature at its most beautiful!
Across the Lys, Sint-Martens-Latem, with its chic villas in every style, is among the most beautiful – and expensive – municipalities in the country. From the hiking footpath, you can admire some of them in all their glory. Sit yourself down on the bench at the Leiebocht for the best view.
HOSPITALITY tip
In the village of Afsnee, you'll find restaurant Nenuphar. On the summer terrace, an instant holiday feeling will come over you, away from all the hustle and bustle. According to Michelin, this is the most beautiful terrace in Ghent! This charm did not escape artist Gustave De Smet either. He immortalised the landscape in the interior, to be admired while dining.
- Address
-
Afsneedorp
9051 Afsnee
- Length
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9,2 km
- Time
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1u 50m
- Terrain
-
43% Paved
- Actions
-
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Doornhammeke hiking route
In Zevergem, a sub-municipality of De Pinte, the Doornhammeke hiking route will plunge you into a beautiful piece of river nature. The route follows the towpath along the Scheldt, and along Scheldt meanders that were severed to straighten the river.
ACCESSIBILITY
Zevergem Village, your starting point, can be reached from Gent Sint-Pieters by bus 71 (22 minutes), or by bicycle (25 minutes).
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
The Doornhammeke and Krommenhoek are two of the severed Scheldt meanders that make up the Scheldemeersen area of nature. Here, yellow irises and majestic flowering rushes adorn the waterfront.
A tip for those who like to imagine themselves a prince or princess for a while is the fairytale Welden Castle. The rampart wall and tower date back to the Middle Ages. Visiting is unfortunately not possible, but it makes for some nice photos from Weldendreef.
HOSPITALITY tip
One establishment for the tastiest break on this little ciruit: the Ponthoeve, a coffee house on a farmyard. Fresh pancakes, waffles and artisanal farmhouse ice cream are the stars of the menu. Prefer something savoury? There are also farmhouse sandwiches from grandma's time are also on the menu, generously topped with farmhouse ham, game paté or 'uuflakke' ('head cheese'), among other things.
In Zevergem, a sub-municipality of De Pinte, the Doornhammeke hiking route will plunge you into a beautiful piece of river nature. The route follows the towpath along the Scheldt, and along Scheldt meanders that were severed to straighten the river.
ACCESSIBILITY
Zevergem Village, your starting point, can be reached from Gent Sint-Pieters by bus 71 (22 minutes), or by bicycle (25 minutes).
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
The Doornhammeke and Krommenhoek are two of the severed Scheldt meanders that make up the Scheldemeersen area of nature. Here, yellow irises and majestic flowering rushes adorn the waterfront.
A tip for those who like to imagine themselves a prince or princess for a while is the fairytale Welden Castle. The rampart wall and tower date back to the Middle Ages. Visiting is unfortunately not possible, but it makes for some nice photos from Weldendreef.
HOSPITALITY tip
One establishment for the tastiest break on this little ciruit: the Ponthoeve, a coffee house on a farmyard. Fresh pancakes, waffles and artisanal farmhouse ice cream are the stars of the menu. Prefer something savoury? There are also farmhouse sandwiches from grandma's time are also on the menu, generously topped with farmhouse ham, game paté or 'uuflakke' ('head cheese'), among other things.
- Address
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Dorp
9840 Zevergem
- Length
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5,6 km
- Time
-
1u 05m
- Terrain
-
78% Paved
- Actions
-
View this route
Oude Kalevallei walking route circuit 2
Between the castle villages of Vinderhoute and Merendree lies the valley of the Oude Kale, a gem of nature with hay and grazing meadows, old pollard willow rows, small field forests and ditches.
ACCESSIBILITY
The starting point, Kasteellaan in Vinderhoute, can be reached by bus 18 from Korenmarkt (39 minutes) and by bus 68 from Gent Zuid or Sint-Jacobs (45 minutes). By bike, it takes about 25 minutes.
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
Numerous hiking and biking trails traverse the beautifully preserved Oude Kalevellei area of nature. The ideal spot for your next Instagram photo is Molenslag, a road at the edge of the area. There's a reason why the Van Vlaenderensmolen, the ridge and its immediate surroundings are protected as a village landmark.
The many castles in and around Vinderhoute, on the other hand, were built (or rebuilt) in the 19th century by wealthy industrialists who wanted to live 'in the countryside'. It is not possible to visit, but you can usually catch a glimpse of the estates from the street. Especially Schouwbroek Castle, with its monumental chestnut trees at the entrance gate, could be in a Disney film.
HOSPITALITY tip
Garden Cafe 't Wegeltje just radiates feeling: a cosy café where meeting and accessibility come first, and which serves products from the local farmers. As parents of children with disabilities, Ann and Alex, who run it, want to 'focus on people, not their disabilities'. A super place for a sunny day!
Between the castle villages of Vinderhoute and Merendree lies the valley of the Oude Kale, a gem of nature with hay and grazing meadows, old pollard willow rows, small field forests and ditches.
ACCESSIBILITY
The starting point, Kasteellaan in Vinderhoute, can be reached by bus 18 from Korenmarkt (39 minutes) and by bus 68 from Gent Zuid or Sint-Jacobs (45 minutes). By bike, it takes about 25 minutes.
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
Numerous hiking and biking trails traverse the beautifully preserved Oude Kalevellei area of nature. The ideal spot for your next Instagram photo is Molenslag, a road at the edge of the area. There's a reason why the Van Vlaenderensmolen, the ridge and its immediate surroundings are protected as a village landmark.
The many castles in and around Vinderhoute, on the other hand, were built (or rebuilt) in the 19th century by wealthy industrialists who wanted to live 'in the countryside'. It is not possible to visit, but you can usually catch a glimpse of the estates from the street. Especially Schouwbroek Castle, with its monumental chestnut trees at the entrance gate, could be in a Disney film.
HOSPITALITY tip
Garden Cafe 't Wegeltje just radiates feeling: a cosy café where meeting and accessibility come first, and which serves products from the local farmers. As parents of children with disabilities, Ann and Alex, who run it, want to 'focus on people, not their disabilities'. A super place for a sunny day!
- Address
-
Kasteellaan
9921 Vinderhoute
- Length
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8,9 km
- Time
-
1u 40m
- Terrain
-
43% Paved
- Actions
-
View this route
View the hiking routes on a map
