Assels hiking route
Close map
Close map sidebar
Toggle map sidebar
Assels hiking route
- Length
- 5,9 km
- Time
- 1u 10m
- Terrain
- 45% Verhard
Drongenplein, 9031 Drongen
Display start location on map
Parking
Display parking location on map
Public transport
Display public transport on mapAssels routebord
Preview waypoints
Paved road
Unpaved road
Show map sidebar
Stops
List
Route description
Hidden within a stone's throw of Ghent is some top-notch nature. Put on your walking boots for this short trip through the Leiemeersen, between the Ringvaart canal and the villages of Drongen and Afsnee. On your route: the meadow bird area the Assels, the region's smallest Lys café and a picturesque ferry.
Old Abbey of Drongen
Drongenplein, Drongen
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
Drongenplein, Drongen
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
Drongenplein, Drongen
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
The rich history of the Abbey of Drongen starts in the 10th century with a community of canons. Over the centuries, the abbey has seen various owners and modifications. Today, these buildings house a reflection and conference centre where you can even stay.
On one side of the Old Abbey, you will find the Lys, and on the other side, there is a large English garden. In front of the abbey is a war memorial, with a relief by Domien Ingels on the front. On the back are the names of victims from both World Wars.
St Gerolf Church
Drongenplein, Drongen
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
Drongenplein, Drongen
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
The church dates from 1859 and is built in a neo-Baroque style. It is dedicated to Our Lady, as you can see in the stained glass windows. If the doors are open, feel free to take a look inside.
Pontbrug
Pontbrug, Drongen
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
Pontbrug, Drongen
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
Pontbrug, Drongen
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
The Pontbrug ('Ferry Bridge') connects the village centre of Drongen with the Assels. The bridge crosses an arm of the Lys and is the only connection for vehicular traffic to the Assels. Just like the Drongenplein, the jetty has received a complete makeover. Settle in here cosily in the greenery, overlooking the water and the old abbey. For the little ones, there is a play area.
Oude-Leieput
Leieput, Afnee
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
The Leieput that you see just after crossing the river in front of you is connected to a local folktale. According to this story, the devil had taken the bells of Drongen from the tower and thrown them into this well. The people of Drongen believed they would find their three bells here, so they often went fishing at the Leieput. When they were able to fish one of the bells into a net, they exclaimed joyfully: "We have the clock!" On the clock, there was a frog calling to them: "You haven't got me yet!" With those words, the clock sank back into the depths, along with the net.
The Assels
Assels, Afsnee
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
Assels, Afsnee
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
For most of the hike, you will be going along or through the Assels. This area of nature is part of the Levende Leie Nature Park, an amalgamation of areas of nature between Ghent and Deinze. Natuurpunt has purchased a great deal of land in these areas to restore them to their original state. The Assels mainly consists of grasslands laced with ditches. This makes it an ideal paradise for various bird species.
Afsnee ferry
Veer Afsnee
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
Your best photos along the Lys? You make those in Afsnee. The protected village will charm you with a Romanesque church, walled cemetery, some village houses and Philippe's ferry service. Every year, the ferryman takes some 45,000 cyclists and hikers across, and completely free of charge. Check the Flemish Waterways site for the specific hours of operation. With its waterfront terrace, restaurant Nenuphar is the perfect stop for a tasty lunch.
Café Oude Drie Leien
A tiny and much sought-after terrace for a nice long stare out over the water. Here, you are overlooking the point where the Lys splits to embrace the island of Assels.
Lys
Leie
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
Leie
Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen
From the ferry, you continue walking along the Lys almost all the way along the route. This river originates in northern France and flows into the Scheldt River near Ghent. The Lys was especially important to the flax industry because its water is lacking in lime and iron. The sheen the rotted flax had gave the river its nickname: 'The Golden River'. Since 1943, the flax industry in the Lys has been banned due to pollution. Along the Lys are many natural areas, such as the Assels.