Kruiskapel hiking route
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Kruiskapel hiking route
- Length
- 11,3 km
- Time
- 2u30m
- Terrain
- 20% Verhard
Eksaardedam 11, 9160 Eksaarde
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Extended route description
Miraculous crosses, a demolished moated castle and a hidden line of defence: a lot of mystery lurks beneath the soil of Eksaarde. Above ground, everything is a lot more easy-going. This route past beautiful stretches of greenery and a quietly rippling Moervaart is testament to that.
De Linie
Eksaarde
Tijl De Meulemeester
Along the gardens of the 't Meersdael domain, you'll reach De Linie, a patchwork of forests, marshes and meadows, managed by the Durme non-profit association and grazed by donkeys. The name refers to the Bedmarlinie, an 18th-century line of defence designed to protect the area from a 'State' attack from the Dutch Republic during the War of the Spanish Succession. De Linie ran from Nieuwpoort to the Meuse River and consisted of forts, entrenchments and moats. Some remnants of the latter can also be found here along the Liniewegel, although today most are richly camouflaged with natural greenery.
Kruiskapel
Kruiskapel Eksaarde
David Samyn
Kruiskapel Eksaarde
David Samyn
The Kapel van de Miraculeuze Kruisen (Chapel of the Miraculous Crosses), known locally as the Verre Kapel, has been an attraction in Eksaarde for centuries. It was built in 1632 on the site where one 'Boudewijn met de Negen Ponden' removed two crucifixes from the ground in 1317 when uprooting a tree. A series of miracles subsequently took place: the church bells began to ring spontaneously, and the head of an unbeliever became so rigid that he repented before the crosses. These days, one cross is kept in the church of Eksaarde, the other in the Kruiskapel. Along the Kruisweg with 14 chapels connecting the two buildings, the faithful hold a pilgrimage, the Nine-Day Pilgrimage of the Miraculous Crosses, in the first half of November.
Gluurmuur
Gluurmuur De Linie
Sandra Koning
Just past the Kruiskapel, in forest plot Den Hert, you can peek without shame from an observation wall with peepholes, at the edge of a pond. At waterfowl, that is. The birds don't usually have a problem with it, except during the breeding season, from March 15 to August 15. Then the 'gluurmuur' wall is not accessible.
Moervaart
Moervaart
David Samyn
The Moervaart was dug around 1300 on behalf of the Abbey of Boudelo, not too far from here. The canal was intended to drain the swampy areas nearby to make them suitable for agriculture. In the 15th century, the Moervaart was made navigable for transporting peat, which was produced in the wider area. Until 1964, the water level of the Moervaart was influenced by the tides, via the Durme and further on the Scheldt.
The damming in Lokeren meant that the tidal action ceased. The gently rippling waters of the Moervaart River have become a lot healthier since the closure of the sugar factory in Moerbeke. That's why it's especially popular with pleasure boaters, fish and waterfowl these days.
Keysershof
Keysershof, Moerbeke
David Samyn
Keysershof, Moerbeke
David Samyn
Located on the banks of the Moervaart and in the shadow of the Sinaai Bridge, the cozy brasserie Keysershof welcomes hikers and cyclists with drinks and snacks, a quick lunch or an extensive menu offering seasonal produce. The Keysershof also offers boat tours of the Moervaart River in a convertible sloop for up to 12 people.
Lokerse Moervaartmeersen
The narrow strip of wetlands along the Meervaart are part of the Lokerse Moervaartmeersen, a natural area of great landscape diversity. The non-profit organisation Durme is responsible for managing it, and restores the nature here. Thanks to the excavation of former farmland, meadows and marshes have once again been given free rein here. Much to the delight of the waders who stop here during their spring migration.
Spoorwegpad
De Lokerse Moervaartmeersen
David Samyn
From the Spletteren Bridge, you follow the Spoorwegpad (railway path), where the 77A railway ran from 1867 to 1971, between Lokeren and the sugar factory of Moerbeke. After nearly a hundred years of service by the steam trains, the line was decommissioned and paved, to be used as a walking and biking trail. The smart Spletteren Bridge was blown up twice by retreating armies: in 1918 by the Germans and in 1940 by Belgian soldiers. The current metal structure was built by the occupying German forces, and survived the demolition of the railway in 1973. Feel free to check it out. There are benches with great views. Continuing your walk, descend again to the trail next to the 'route'. If you stay hiking higher up, watch out for the many cyclists who will cross your path.