Puyenbroeck hiking route

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Puyenbroeck hiking route

Length: 11,8 km
Time: 2u 19m
Terrain: 31% Verhard

Puidonkdreef , 9185 Wachtebeke

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Wandelknooppuntenbord

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Extended route description

In the heart of the Moervaartvallei, the Zuidlede River guides us through the deeply green natural beauty in and around provincial domain Puyenbroeck.

Out and about with the children in Puyenbroeck? Then go for our child-friendly Little Circuit in Puyenbroeck.

Starting Point

Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck

Provinciaal Domein Puyenbroeck

Kévin Devogele

The walk starts at hiking node 2, which you can easily reach from Puyenbroeck car park 2. Since its opening in 1969, Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck has been a popular getaway destination. As such, it offers something for everyone. For the little ones, you will find a giant playground around the main entrance and a pond with rowing boats and pedal boats. For sports enthusiasts, there are the numerous sports grounds and swimming pool.

On this hike, however, you will not be walking through the busiest part of Puyenbroeck, but mainly traversing the southern part of the domain: a quiet forest area of 150 hectares. With a little luck, you might even spot some deer there.

Node 47

Etboshoeve

Moerbeke

David Samyn

Etbosdreef

David Samyn

From the starting point, walk a little over 2 kilometres along the small river Zuidlede, up to node 47. Be sure to stop there at the Etbos Bridge for an idyllic view across the Zuidlede, a top photo location.

The Etboshoeve once stood by the bridge. As early as the 18th century, an inn was located here, initially popular with smugglers and poachers. Later, it became a popular rest stop for hikers, hunters and fishermen. Rice pudding with brown sugar was at the top of the menu here. In 1999, café Etboshoeve closed its doors. Since then, this house has been a private residence.

Node 46-7

Bunkers of the Hollandstellung

The bunkers you will pass were part of the German defence belt Hollandstellung during WWI. These followed the border with the Netherlands from Knokke to Beveren, to repel attacks by the Allies from the neutral north.

Node 12

Levend Erfgoedpark

Wachtebeke

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Wachtebeke

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

In this special piece of Puyenbroeck, a kind of Bokrijk with animals, you will get to know local farm animals whose existence is threatened because they are no longer economically viable. You won't find any bears or tigers here, but you will find some stone rabbits, Ardennes fox heads and numerous other poultry animals in the most colourful varieties.

Node 8

Watchtower

Provinciaal Domein Puyenbroeck

Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen

Since the summer of 2020, a new watchtower has jutted out over the Levend Erfgoedpark ('Living Heritage Park'). A steel fire escape climbs 15 metres high to a platform above the winding pond, which offers panoramic views of the popular recreation area. This piece of Puyenbroeck got a real landscape park, with an experience park, suspension bridge, barefoot path and grazing animals.

Node 2

't Ou Huys and Bistro Martha

Near car park 2 in Puyenbroeck, you will find the cosy tavern 't Ou Huys. You can relax there over a local beer, a coffee or a snack. For the youngest visitors, there is a petting zoo with poultry animals and honey-making bees.

Next door, Bistro Martha will serve up a sophisticated lunch or dinner.

Puyenbroeck hiking route