Along the Moervaart and the Zuidlede in Wachtebeke

Appointment at the parking (V) of the sports center (Parking 2) of the Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck at Stenenbrug in Wachtebeke. When leaving the car park, turn right, along the asphalt track. Ignore the beautiful straight lane opposite the parking lot. After 450 meters you will reach the Zuidlede. Do not cross the bridge but walk to the left along the water. The Zuidlede used to be the natural middle course of the Durme. Today it forms a connection between the Durme and the Moervaart. It meanders, with a total length of about fifteen kilometers, through the polders and to a large extent through the Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck. The Zuidlede is inaccessible to motor vessels but very suitable for a canoe or kayak trip and a true paradise for the numerous water and meadow birds. For example, you will see plenty of blue heron, mallard, moorhen and Canada and greylag goose and in the spring you can admire the courtship flight of the lapwing. • After a little more than a kilometer you will pass a first barrier with pedestrian axis and after another half kilometer and a second barrier you will come to a bridge over the Zuidlede. Walk to the left on the cobblestone track in a long straight lane of canada poplars, away from the Zuidlede. After 250 meters you have a country road on the left (1). It is the drive that you also saw at the start right across the parking lot. If you want to take a quiet walk of only four kilometers, turn left here and arrive at the departure point again. For the full walk, leave the exit and walk straight on the cobblestone track. After about a kilometer at the T-junction, walk to the right (including a sign with a blue triangle of a cycle route). The cobblestone track soon bends at right angles to the left, then to the right and again to the left. In that last bend you have the nature reserve De Turfmeersen (2) on the right. Redshanks, slobs and teal breed here every year. After a possible visit to De Turfmeersen, continue walking on the cobblestone track. After 300 meters you have on the left the moats of the domain Wulfsdonk (3). Wulfsdonk was originally a thirteenth-century castle estate, has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the years and is now a beautiful country house with castle park and pond. • The cobblestone track bends to the left and then to the right. Ignore the country road on the left in the bend and continue walking along the cobblestone track (red and white GR signs). After 300 meters you will arrive at the Moervaart. Walk to the left. Here is a picnic area (4). Do not cross the Terwest bridge but continue walking on the narrower concrete track along the Moervaart. The Moervaart is just over 22 kilometers long and connects the Canal from Ghent to Terneuzen with the Durme. The canal was originally dug for the drainage of the surrounding meadows and then made navigable for the transport of peat. The Moervaart still has little economic significance today and is only used for pleasure boating. On the water you can see coot, mallard, cormorants and even oystercatchers and along the shore a striking amount of Japanese knotweed. • After almost a mile you will arrive at junction 82 of a cycle route. Leave the towpath here and turn left on the cobblestone track towards Puyenbroeck. The cobblestone track quickly becomes a narrow concrete road and then cobblestone road again and takes you to the main track after a kilometer. Cross and walk straight on the bike path. After 600 meters you will come back to Parking 2 of the sports center of the Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck. A visit to the domain is highly recommended. There are still miles of hiking trails, a tourist train, many sports facilities, some cafeterias and much more. The domain is open all year round from 9 am to sunset and admission is free. For more information, prices (including bike rental) and map, check www.puyenbroeck.be in advance.