3 walking routes along land art

Pollare
Tijl De Meulemeester
3 walking routes along land art

Enjoy nature and landscape art

The PULS Project (Project Uitzwerven Langs Stromen) by Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen led to the creation of four nature-friendly experience points in the valleys of the Dender and the Scheldt, each with original land-art elements. Thanks to three unique walking routes, you can discover them all.

You'll find the new works of art at some of the most meaningful spots along the walking networks. Each one is an open invitation to literally stand still, experience the incredible peace and admire the landscape in all its glory. As well as that, the conscious choice of natural materials gives biodiversity an extra boost in these precious nature areas. Each experience point also highlights the local story of the place.

 

1 Tour of Pollare walking route

The Tour of Pollare walking route of some 8 km gives a good idea of the wonders this small sub-municipality of Ninove has to offer. The Dendervallei Ninove nature area is at its most beautiful here: an enchanting mixture of woods and open space, natural pools and water meadows. At its heart lies the delightful meandering Dender.

There is plenty of variety on this trail, because all of a sudden you encounter the Flierendries, which is a pretty sleep slope. A little further along, it's worth making a short diversion to Hoeveijs Finesse: a farm where, since 2021, Ines and Tom have been turning the fresh milk from their cows into delicious ice cream, home-made ice lollies and delicious sundaes.

Along the quiet streets of Pollare - you immediately understand why the area around St Christopher's church and the Dender bridge became a protected heritage site in 1980 - you return to your starting point. Is café Zwarte Flesch closed? In the canteen at Kristoffelsport, drinks, snacks or delicious home-made spaghetti are available seven days a week. 

Land-art element Zwarte Flesch 

Located at the pedestrian bridge across the Dender, In de Zwarte Flesch in Pollare was once a popular place for barge haulers and boatmen to rest. These days, in the exact same picturesque spot, you'll find the small and pleasant cafe Zwarte Flesch, run by volunteers and residents of Schoonderhage Day Centre.

From the green patio, you can already spot the eight-metre-high art by landscape artist Thijs Van der Linden. Especially for this historical location, he created an impressive metal bottle in which he planted a black poplar tree. As time goes on, this tree will grow and merge with the construction, and the steel structure will gradually disappear. As such, the work is an ecological and transient art project, in which past, present and future become one.

 

 

1 Tour of Pollare walking route

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Pollare
Tijl De Meulemeester
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Pollare
Tijl De Meulemeester

The Tour of Pollare walking route of some 8 km gives a good idea of the wonders this small sub-municipality of Ninove has to offer. The Dendervallei Ninove nature area is at its most beautiful here: an enchanting mixture of woods and open space, natural pools and water meadows. At its heart lies the delightful meandering Dender.

There is plenty of variety on this trail, because all of a sudden you encounter the Flierendries, which is a pretty sleep slope. A little further along, it's worth making a short diversion to Hoeveijs Finesse: a farm where, since 2021, Ines and Tom have been turning the fresh milk from their cows into delicious ice cream, home-made ice lollies and delicious sundaes.

Along the quiet streets of Pollare - you immediately understand why the area around St Christopher's church and the Dender bridge became a protected heritage site in 1980 - you return to your starting point. Is café Zwarte Flesch closed? In the canteen at Kristoffelsport, drinks, snacks or delicious home-made spaghetti are available seven days a week. 

Land-art element Zwarte Flesch 

Located at the pedestrian bridge across the Dender, In de Zwarte Flesch in Pollare was once a popular place for barge haulers and boatmen to rest. These days, in the exact same picturesque spot, you'll find the small and pleasant cafe Zwarte Flesch, run by volunteers and residents of Schoonderhage Day Centre.

From the green patio, you can already spot the eight-metre-high art by landscape artist Thijs Van der Linden. Especially for this historical location, he created an impressive metal bottle in which he planted a black poplar tree. As time goes on, this tree will grow and merge with the construction, and the steel structure will gradually disappear. As such, the work is an ecological and transient art project, in which past, present and future become one.

 

 

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Address
Schuitstraat 17
9401 Ninove
Length
8,2 km
Time
2u
Terrain
44% Paved
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2 From Wieze to Denderbelle walking route

Along this 16.4 km trail, you discover a completely different piece of the Dender Valley. Start at Wiezeplein, dominated by a great oak tree with a mighty crown. Local cafe Den Dikken Eik is a great tribute to Wieze's rich brewing heritage. Fancy something to eat, then Goeste in Wies next door is an excellent choice.

On the other side of the Dender, there's the 860-hectare nature area known as Beneden-Dender. In this magnificent meadow landscape, the woods, wetlands and pollarded willows have every opportunity to flourish. The Sas (lock) of Denderbelle has plenty of picnic benches, making it a wonderful picnic stop. Then, you dive directly into Denderbellebroek, a damp, low-lying area filled with hay meadows and alder woods.

Shortly afterwards, the next natural gem appears on the horizon: Wiestermeersch takes you along an idyllic boardwalk, back to the bank of the River Dender. Then, at Honingbos, you encounter the striking land art installation: Molenaarseik. This artwork by Thijs Van Der Linden is a true tribute to the ancient Old Oak in Wieze. He planted a native oak in a metal construction, in which the silhouettes of the old village mill and St Saviour's chapel can be recognised. As time goes by, the tree will become increasingly connected with the surrounding landscape.

Around the park where, Wieze's renaissance castle once stood, you arrive at the end of this exciting and varied walk.

Land-art element Molenaarseik

At the edge of the Honey Grove you will find Thijs Van der Linden's second work, the Millers' Oak. A young summer oak grows in the middle of this artwork - a nod to the ‘Dikke Eik’ on Wieze's village square. The metal structure around it refers to two vanished village landmarks: the old mill and the Saint Salvator chapel.

With Molenaarseik, Thijs Van der Linden pays homage to local heritage. The tree continues to grow slowly and will increasingly intertwine with the artwork over the years - a living symbol of past and future.

2 From Wieze to Denderbelle walking route

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Wieze
Tijl De Meulemeester
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Wieze
Tijl De Meulemeester

Along this 16.4 km trail, you discover a completely different piece of the Dender Valley. Start at Wiezeplein, dominated by a great oak tree with a mighty crown. Local cafe Den Dikken Eik is a great tribute to Wieze's rich brewing heritage. Fancy something to eat, then Goeste in Wies next door is an excellent choice.

On the other side of the Dender, there's the 860-hectare nature area known as Beneden-Dender. In this magnificent meadow landscape, the woods, wetlands and pollarded willows have every opportunity to flourish. The Sas (lock) of Denderbelle has plenty of picnic benches, making it a wonderful picnic stop. Then, you dive directly into Denderbellebroek, a damp, low-lying area filled with hay meadows and alder woods.

Shortly afterwards, the next natural gem appears on the horizon: Wiestermeersch takes you along an idyllic boardwalk, back to the bank of the River Dender. Then, at Honingbos, you encounter the striking land art installation: Molenaarseik. This artwork by Thijs Van Der Linden is a true tribute to the ancient Old Oak in Wieze. He planted a native oak in a metal construction, in which the silhouettes of the old village mill and St Saviour's chapel can be recognised. As time goes by, the tree will become increasingly connected with the surrounding landscape.

Around the park where, Wieze's renaissance castle once stood, you arrive at the end of this exciting and varied walk.

Land-art element Molenaarseik

At the edge of the Honey Grove you will find Thijs Van der Linden's second work, the Millers' Oak. A young summer oak grows in the middle of this artwork - a nod to the ‘Dikke Eik’ on Wieze's village square. The metal structure around it refers to two vanished village landmarks: the old mill and the Saint Salvator chapel.

With Molenaarseik, Thijs Van der Linden pays homage to local heritage. The tree continues to grow slowly and will increasingly intertwine with the artwork over the years - a living symbol of past and future.

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Address
Wiezeplein
9280 Wieze
Length
16,4 km
Time
3u30
Terrain
46% Paved
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3. From Vlassenbroek to Wal-Zwijn walking route

Deze verrassende luswandeling van ruim 19 km verbindt twee natuurgebieden in de Scheldevallei en brengt je langs de kunstwerken Tidal Secrets #1 en Tidal Secrets #2 van Will Beckers. In dit gebied drukt de Schelde haar stempel via kreken, moerassen, slikken en schorren. En dankzij het Sigmaplan, dat de regio beter moet beschermen tegen overstromingen, kreeg deze natuurlijke lappendeken de voorbije jaren een flinke opwaardering.

Je start in het schilderachtige Vlassenbroek, waar je al snel de eerste installatie tegenkomt: Tidal Secrets #1. Deze bolvormige sculptuur van cortenstaal en wilgenhout lijkt als een baken in het landschap te staan, verbonden met de getijdennatuur. Vervolgens steek je via een gratis veerboot de Schelde over naar Wal-Zwijn. Hier wacht Tidal Secrets #2, het broertje van het kunstwerk in Vlassenbroek, met vlechtwerk van levende hazelaar en wilg, dat met de tijd mee zal groeien.

Onderweg kun je even opladen in taverne ’t Schuurken in Moerzeke, met uitzicht op de kronkelende Schelde. Na de tocht kun je nog nagenieten in een van de gezellige eet- en drinkadresjes in Vlassenbroek, zoals Brasserie Huize Geertrui of De Kleine Notelaar.

Get ready for a surprising walk of some 19 km in a vast polder area filled with succulent grass landscapes, creeks and marshes to the north-east of Dendermonde. Here, in recent years, a huge amount of work has been accomplished as part of the Sigma Plan, aimed at drastically reducing the risk of flooding in this water-rich region.

You begin just beyond the picturesque artists' village of Vlassenbroek. On the ring dyke, you very soon encounter the brand-new landmark Tidal Secrets #1 by Will Beckers: a spherical capsule made of Corten steel, featuring a woven natural sculpture of dead willow wood. The artist was inspired by the rare spindle flower, which feels quite at home in the fresh water mudflats of the nature area Vlassenbroek Zuid. Tidal Secrets #1 stands like a beacon on the dyke, intimately intertwined with the tidal nature. In this way, it creates a connection between the marshlands and the surrounding water landscape.

In Baasrode, the Scheldt ferry takes you free of charge directly to the other nature area: here too, Wal-Zwijn comprises a patchwork of mudflats and marshes. There, Tidal Secrets #2 is quite clearly the twin of the land-art installation in Vlassenbroek. Only this time, landscape artist Will Beckers chose a woven work of living hazel and willow.

Is it nearly time to replenish your energy? In taverne 't Schuurken in Moerzeke, you not only enjoy a wonderful view over the cheerfully winding Scheldt, there is also an extensive menu to choose from. Feeling refreshed? Taking Vlassenbroek bridge, you cross the river for the last time, bringing you back to Vlassenbroek. Brasserie Huize Geertrui and De Kleine Notelaar are all perfect places for a delicious drink and/or tasty bite as you share memories of your lovely walk. 

Land-art element Tidal Secrets #1

On the dike of Vlassenbroek South, Tidal Secrets #1 attracts attention: a spherical capsule made of Corten steel, with a woven sculpture of willow inside. Artist Will Beckers was inspired by the spindle buttercup - a rare plant found here in the freshwater salt marshes.

The artwork stands as a silent beacon in the landscape. Its organic shapes and natural materials blend seamlessly with the tidal nature around it. Thus, Tidal Secrets #1 connects life on the border of land and water, and gives the salt marshes a tangible, visible place in the landscape.

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Vlassenbroek
Tijl De Meulemeester
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Vlassenbroek
Tijl De Meulemeester

Kunstwerk Tidal Secrets #1

In the tidal landscape of Wal-Zwijn you will find Tidal Secrets #2, the second artwork in the series by landscape artist Will Beckers. Like its counterpart in Vlassenbroek, this is a spherical capsule made of corten steel. But here the artist chose wickerwork of living hazel and willow - plants that evolve with their environment.

The installation is in the middle of the patchwork of mudflats and salt marshes that characterise this area. Tidal Secrets #2 is visible from the dike and will be open to visitors during the summer.

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Wal-Zwijn
Tijl De Meulemeester
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Wal-Zwijn
Tijl De Meulemeester

Land-art element Tidal Secrets #2

In the tidal landscape of Wal-Zwijn you will find Tidal Secrets #2, the second artwork in the series by landscape artist Will Beckers. Like its counterpart in Vlassenbroek, this is a spherical capsule made of corten steel. But here the artist chose wickerwork of living hazel and willow - plants that evolve with their environment.

The installation is in the middle of the patchwork of mudflats and salt marshes that characterise this area. Tidal Secrets #2 is visible from the dike and will be open to visitors during the summer.