Waterfront path

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11.7 km
39 m
02h20
Medium

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Route information

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Last verified: 15 May 2025
Translated by OpenAI

Description by the author

During your walk along the Waterkantpad in Bredene and Ostend, you will come across Fort Napoleon, a historic fort built in 1812 by the French. This fort was originally established to defend the port of Ostend against possible attacks from the English during the Napoleonic Wars. The fort is an impressive example of military architecture and offers a fascinating insight into the history of the region. Today, it is a museum where visitors can relive the history through exhibitions and guided tours.

Another highlight on this route is the impressive lighthouse 'Lange Nelle'. This lighthouse is one of the three still functioning lighthouses on the Belgian coast and is an iconic beacon for shipping. With its light visible up to 50 kilometers, 'Lange Nelle' plays a crucial role in maritime safety.

A little further along, you will pass the Fish Market of Ostend, where fresh fish and seafood are brought in and traded daily. Along the Spuikom, you then walk through the Vicogne forest to the Bredene - Groenendijk neighborhood and the Turkeyenhof. This polder farm from 1737 offers a glimpse into the lives of people from that time. What else can you find there? A collection of tools from crafts long gone. And an impressive collection of shells, fossils, and even mammoth remains.

Route origin

Route description

Region

Statistics

Difficulty level: Medium (73/100)

Length: 11.7 km

Duration: 02h20


Total ascent: 39 m

Maximal slope: 4 %

Average slope: 0.3 %

Net ascent: 0 m

Total descent: 39 m

Roads and subsoil

Paved roads: 9.91 km (85 %)

Cobblestones: 43.2 m (0 %)

Scenery

Car free roads: 3.45 km (29 %)

Noise pollution

Amount of traffic


Natural area

Urban area

Water rich area

Characteristics

    Themes

      Groups

        Start and end of the route

        Navigate to starting point

        Places of interest

        1. Dune pavilion "Spioenkop"

          0 · Heritage

          The dune pavilion "Spioenkop" is ideal for a little break, with a beautiful view of the sea and …

          Toerisme Bredene
        2. Koki Beach

          0 · POI

          Lounging on the beach is now also possible in this trendy beach house. Come enjoy a delicious …

          Toerisme Bredene
        3. Bar B'O

          0 · POI

          Lounging on the beach is now also possible in this trendy beach house at beach post 2. Come enjoy …

          Toerisme Bredene
        4. Observation post "Katzbach"

          0 · Bunker

          Was built in September 1916 with the task of relaying observations at sea to Battery Deutschland. …

          Toerisme Bredene
        5. Patterson Bridge

          0 · Bridge

          This wooden staircase was named after the aviator who was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire …

          Toerisme Bredene
        6. Twins

          0 · Surfclub

          Thriving surf and sailing club.

          Toerisme Bredene
        7. Marker halfway along the Belgian coast

          0 · Distance Marker

          This marking placed on the walking path of the Spinoladijk indicates the exact location of the …

          Toerisme Bredene
        8. Fort Napoleon

          0 · Heritage

          Fort Impérial was built in 1812 by the French to defend the port of Ostend against English …

          Toerisme Bredene
        9. Batterij Hundius

          0 · Bunker

          Paul Hundius was during World War I commander of a German submarine. He was killed on September …

          Toerisme Bredene
        10. Lighthouse 'Lange Nelle'

          0 · Lighthouse

          Lighthouse 'Lange Nelle', its light beam can be seen up to 40 km away.

          Toerisme Bredene
        11. Anchor of the Belgica

          0 · Monument

          The Belgica was a Belgian sailing ship that became famous for its expedition to the North Pole in …

          Toerisme Bredene
        12. Battery "Half Moon"

          0 · Bunker

          A defensive line that has traditionally been used since the siege of Ostend in 1600/1604 by the …

          Toerisme Bredene
        13. Monument HMS VINDICTIVE

          0 · Monument

          Monument HMS VINDICTIVE in honor of the British casualties who fell during an attempt to block the …

          Toerisme Bredene
        14. Eastern breakwater

          0 · Dam

          The new eastern breakwater of the Ostend port has already been raised and hardened by 2 m from the …

          Toerisme Bredene
        15. Slipway

          0 · Harbour

          Slipway: 2 classified ship lifts from 1927 for inspection and repair of ships.

          Toerisme Bredene
        16. German mortar bunker (Type 633)

          0 · Bunker

          Built during WWII, it was armed with a 5 cm mortar M19 with a maximum firing range of 750 meters, …

          Toerisme Bredene
        17. Lock Fisherman's Dock

          0 · Sluis

          The lock gates were raised by 80 to 120 cm. A storm wall was built around the locks.

          Toerisme Bredene
        18. Fish market

          0 · Fishing harbour

          With warehouses and a fish hall 800 m long, built between 1949 and 1951, this site has already …

          Toerisme Bredene
        19. Locks between the outer harbor and the Spuikom

          0 · Sluis

          In reality, these are not locks but sluice gates that regulate the water management of the …

          Toerisme Bredene
        20. Spuikom

          0 · Water recreation

          A Spuikom consists of basins or polders that are connected to a seaport via a sluice that was …

          Toerisme Bredene
        21. Vicogna Forest

          0 · Forest

          This area is just over 10 hectares in size and consists of half young forest and half polder …

          Toerisme Bredene
        22. Turkeyenhof

          0 · Museum

          Do you enjoy diving into history? Then visit the charming Turkeyenhof. This polder farm from 1737 …

          Toerisme Bredene
        23. Ramakerspark

          0 · Park

          Ramakerspark: enjoy the charm of the old villa district in this oasis of tranquility.

          Toerisme Bredene
        24. Saint Therese of Lisieux

          0 · Church

          This church in Bredene Duinen was completed just before the outbreak of WWII, but not yet …

          Toerisme Bredene
        25. Dune Square

          0 · Square

          The Duinenplein with water feature and statue 'The Wind' by Irénée Duriez, commonly known as …

          Toerisme Bredene
        26. MEC Staff Versluys

          0 · Cultural Centre

          Meeting and Event Center Staf Versluys, an impressive architecture, with warm wood and modern …

          Toerisme Bredene

        Comments

        Activities

        Nearby

        Routes nearby

        Lodging nearby

        Services nearby

        Dune pavilion "Spioenkop"
        Koki Beach
        Bar B'O
        Observation post "Katzbach"
        Patterson Bridge
        Twins
        Marker halfway along the Belgian coast
        Fort Napoleon
        Batterij Hundius
        Lighthouse 'Lange Nelle'
        Anchor of the Belgica
        Battery "Half Moon"
        Monument HMS VINDICTIVE
        Eastern breakwater
        Slipway
        German mortar bunker (Type 633)
        Lock Fisherman's Dock
        Fish market
        Locks between the outer harbor and the Spuikom
        Spuikom
        Vicogna Forest
        Turkeyenhof
        Ramakerspark
        Saint Therese of Lisieux
        Dune Square
        MEC Staff Versluys
        0 km1 km1 km2 km2 km3 km3 km4 km4 km5 km5 km6 km6 km7 km7 km8 km8 km9 km9 km10 km10 km11 km11 km12 km12 km0 m18 m
        PLUS
        200 m

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