Along the creeks of Sint-Laureins hiking route
Along the creeks of Sint-Laureins hiking route
In Sint-Laureins, the creeks can be found as unexpected pools of water in the polders. Walk from the Godshuis out of the village, get yourself across the Leopold Canal on the foot ferry and be taken in by the beautiful flat landscape around the Vrouwkenshoek Creek, the Blok Creek and the Hollandersgat Creek. Don't forget your binoculars, because hundreds of waterfowl perch here in the winter! A little further on, you'll also walk along the Boere Creek – at 6 kilometres, the longest creek in East Flanders.
Node 11 Godshuis (House of God)
Sint-Laureins, one of five villages nestled against the Dutch border in northern Meetjesland, is dominated by the imposing Godshuis. In the mid-19th century, Antonia Van Damme had a complex built here that served as a convent, nursing home, orphanage and hospital. For years, this handsome building – 75 metres long and 56 metres wide – housed a luxury hotel with a ballroom and bistro after a thorough restoration. Today, it awaits a repurposing.
Node 10-12 Leopold Canal
From node 10, you'll first walk a bit along the Leopold Canal, an artificial waterway dug in the mid-19th century to drain excess the polder water, so as to protect the residents from malaria. Even though this northern canal's second official name is the Zelzate Canal, it never got as far as there. The deeper it goes into the polder, the narrower it becomes. Today, it fulfils an important role in the drainage of the polders and the supply of drinking water.
Node 12 Foot ferry
Just roll up your sleeves at node 12, because here you'll have to cross the Leopold Canal by foot ferry! It is one of three ferries installed in Saint-Laureins to shuttle hikers and cyclists back and forth. Children especially are sure to find this the coolest thing!
Node 50 Vrouwenhoek Creek
At node 50, you plunge fully into the 'Sentse' creeks – those of Sint-Laureins – past some views that will leave you speechless. The first creek on your route is the Vrouwkenshoek Creek: once one of the most beautiful in the region, but largely filled in with dredged material during the widening and deepening of the Leopold Canal in the 1950s. Today, the monumental creek has been restored to its former glory, making for an impressive piece of nature.
This beautifully flat creek area, perhaps the most beautiful in all of Flanders, is dominated in the autumn by the presence of hundreds of waterfowl and the marsh harrier, high in the sky. During the sunny spring, you can't help but fully enjoy the vastness and the dancing sunlight on the flat polders.
Node 99 Blok Creek and Hollandersgat Creek
Between nodes 99 and 97 lies a wondrous spot where the Blok Creek and Hollandersgat Creek meet. Perfect for that selfie, yet mostly for getting your picnic out of your backpack and enjoying this quiet, romantic piece of polder.
Node 86 Boerekreek
At 6 kilometres and covering an area of 38 hectares, the Boere Creek is the longest and largest creek south of the Westerscheldt. On its shores, the Provincial Sports Centre of the same name welcomes schools and groups who come here to sail, surf, kayak and ride horses. There is also an always-accessible bird-watching hut for spotting mallards, buzzards, kestrels and white-fronted geese.
Node 85-98 Fred's Eatery
Keep walking along the Leopold Canal just before the sign for node 98, and you'll walk right into the congenial Fred's Eatery. Once established as the Café Polderzicht, today a congenial family restaurant, with the house speciality at the top of the menu: ribs with as much as you can get on them.
Node 11 Godshuis Sint-Laureins
3 hiking routes along creeks
5 wandelroutes om vogels te spotten
De mooiste wandelingen langs water
7 x wandelen langs bijzondere knooppunten
