The loveliest walking routes along the Scheldt

The Scheldt crosses the Kalkense Meersen, as one of the last quiet sanctuaries in East Flanders. The nature area, which covers a grand total of 950 hectares, extends to the village centres of Kalken, Overmere, Uitbergen, Schellebelle and Wetteren. Thanks to the broad silence you can devote your full attention to nature! In Schellebelle, you can even board a ferry to embark on a nature walk of eight kilometres. Also, in other parts of the nature area, the Scheldt is never far away and provides a peaceful murmur in the background.

Even so, there is some excitement along the way! You get the chance of a close look at the famous Galloways. These are cattle without horns and with a long, curly coat They are named after a county in Scotland. These great grazers are very well adapted to outdoor life and require little care. Don't be afraid of their imposing appearance; they are gentle animals and as such the ideal breed for nature areas with lots of visitors. Galloways love large wet grassland areas and therefore feel quite at home in the Kalkense Meersen! Since the Sigma Plan was introduced, the Scheldt has regained its freedom to move. Thanks to the flood plains and marshy meadows, the region is now much better protected from flooding.

During your walk you will not only see Galloways, but also work from a number of artists! The showpiece is Salicetum, a natural and wonderful woven work by the artist Will Beckers. It feels like part of the landscape, which is why it is such a success!

Emile Verhaeren is a French-speaking Belgian from Sint-Amands. As well as a poet, he also wrote short stories, art critiques and plays. The poet was recognised for symbolism. He began by studying law, but soon gave up advocacy to focus on his writing. He enjoyed heading out after a day of writing. A walk in Scheldeland never failed to inspire him! If you do this walking trail, you will follow in his own footsteps. Maybe the trail will give you inspiration too?

This flat walking trail starts in the characteristic Scheldt village of Sint-Amands. The community has been around for some time, since the year 822 to be exact! The village pays tribute to its poet in the Emile Verhaeren Museum. The literary museum can be found in – you guessed it – Emile Verhaerenstraat, right beside the birthplace of the poet. Having learned his life story you can set off on your walk! You can choose the basic route of five kilometres or the longer trail of twelve kilometres. The latter leads you along the former fishing village of Mariekerke, which is famous for its herring smokehouses and eel merchants. One thing's for sure: both trails take you along picturesque tracks and tow paths.

Sint-Amands is often said to lie on the most beautiful bend in the Scheldt. So no wonder that it was chosen as the final resting place for Emile Verhaeren, where he can enjoy the views of his favourite river for eternity. You can admire his statue and monumental tomb on the idyllic square in Sint-Amands. Along the quay there are plenty of cafés where you can sit outside and enjoy a drink or a bite and rest your weary legs during your walk.

What else could Scheldeland possibly have in store for you? Sand dunes, or so it seems! Despite being miles from the sea, you still get a sense of being close to the beach with these metre-high dunes. The Stuifduin (Sand dune) Walking route follows a loop of 11 km around the Scheldt in Wetteren. 

When you start the Stuifduin Walking route, St Gertrude's Church with its Round arch style immediately draws your attention. It is remarkable not only for its eclectic construction style, but also for its permanent puppet exhibition. This exceptional collection contains as many as 130 puppets with costumes from different monastic orders from Belgian and abroad. Fascinating! The walking route then takes you around the edge of the Kalkense Meersen, a magnificient quiet sanctuary with grazing giants along the path, rare birds in the sky and the Schellebelle ferry on the water.

You also pass the provincial domain Den Blakken, a 9.7 hectare park surrounding 'Les Mélèzes' (De Lorken) villa. You can relax in its many ornamental gardens, as well as discovering a rose garden and maze. The domain lies on the borders of the Warandeduinen, the best kept sand dunes along the Scheldt and also the highlight of this walk. You will see an impressive sand dune rising 17.5 metres high! Who would have expected that in Wetteren? Once upon a time, rivers carved deep gullies in the sand, carried it for kilometres and then let it go again. Then the westerly wind took over, carrying the sandbanks further, causing the emergence of sand dunes … in Wetteren! A strange phenomenon, don't you think?