Top 20 Natural Monuments around Gent
Best natural monuments around Gent provide a variety of green spaces and natural features for outdoor activities. The region, situated between the Scheldt and Lys rivers, features expansive nature reserves, parks, and botanical gardens. These areas are recognized for their ecological value and recreational opportunities, offering a tranquil escape from urban environments. Gent's commitment to nature is evident in its numerous parks and domains, many maintained without pesticides.
Best natural monuments around Gent
- The most popular natural monuments is Aelmoeseneiebos Stream and Wooden Bridge, a forest that includes more than 60 tree species. This arboretum is freely accessible to walkers and is part of the Bioscience Engineering course in Forest and Nature Management.
- Another must-see spot is Damvallei Lake, a lake and natural monument. This low moor ecosystem, formed by former Scheldt meanders, features marked walking routes past moist hay meadows and peat pits.
- Visitors also love Peace Monument, a man-made monument and viewpoint. This steel structure with wooden planking can be climbed and offers wide views of the surrounding Meersen landscape.
- Gent is known for its lakes, forests, and nature reserves. The area offers a variety of natural monuments to see and explore, from expansive wetlands to serene arboretums.
- The natural monuments around Gent are appreciated by the komoot community, with 149 upvotes and 84 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 17, 2026
Damvallei Lake
Highlight (Segment) • Lake
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Aelmoeseneiebos Stream and Wooden Bridge
Highlight • Forest
It includes more than 60 tree species, including all native trees of Flanders, as well as a number of park trees.
It is currently used as part of the Bioscience Engineering course in Forest and Nature Management and is freely accessible to walkers.
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Peace Monument
Highlight • Monument
This project was opened on Architecture Day 2013.
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Nature Reserve De Putten
Highlight • Natural
The history of its origins has an industrial past, as the area was used for expanding land. This means that the clay layer was excavated for the production of bricks.
This so-called 'Scheldt stone' was fired on site in small field ovens. Due to the high groundwater level, a swampy area quickly developed on these exhausted areas, where at most Canada poplars could survive. These were therefore planted en masse for the cuttings factories in Geraardsbergen, but that too has now become industrial archaeology.
The first purchases were made in 1993 and the nature reserve has now grown into a mosaic of 16 hectares of moist meadows, lakes, swamps and swamp forests. A few plots of the old poplar forests remain for the Oriole and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, two uncommon bird species that like to feed in those trees.
'De Putten' is part of the nature reserve 'De Scheldemeersen', where Natuurpunt already manages or owns 120 hectares. De Scheldemeersen is located in Merelbeke and De Pinte (covering an area of 600 hectares).
The area can be viewed along the Trekweg (Scheldedijk) and the Meersstraat. One or more guided walks are organized every year.
Source: Natuurpunt
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Schouwbroek Castle
Highlight • Castle
The park was laid out in the English landscape style at the end of the 19th century. There is a pond, an icehouse with a pavilion built above it. There are also bridges, a boathouse and a cave. There are three monumental chestnut trees, including possibly the thickest chestnut tree in Belgium.
The park is closed off on the side of Schouwbroekstraat by an impressive iron gate. You can look through the gate at the park but you can't get in.
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Keuzemeersen
Highlight • Natural
It consists of wet grassland that is regularly flooded. Note the many pollarded willows that have long since disappeared from other lakes around Ghent. If you are quiet you can spot shovelers, yellow wagtails, reed buntings and several lapwings.
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Saint Christiana Chapel and Spring
Highlight • Religious Site
Inside the chapel, there are several neo-Gothic sculptures. The undisputed showpiece is the polychrome altarpiece above the chapel altar. The artwork was donated by the city of Ghent at the time. The work was created in 1865 by Blanchard from Heusden. We see Christiana and her retinue upon their arrival in Dikkelvenne. They are blessed by Hilduardus and two deacons.
Furthermore, next to the altar, one can also find the statues of Hilduardus and Christiana.
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The Silent Giant of Gentbrugge
Highlight • Natural Monument
The forest in which you are now, together with the Stille Reus, belonged, together with the Meersemhof district and the residence on Braemkasteelstraat, to the castle domain of Le Fevere de Ten Hove.
De Stille Reus was also planted by the family Le Fevere de, Ten Hove, saw the castle fall into disrepair, watched the construction of the viaduct and, with the right care, will also experience its decline.
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Rosarium and Statue in Citadelpark Ghent
Highlight • Monument
The citadel in Ghent had to make way for the Ghent World Exhibition in 1913. Many buildings were built to house the 1913 World Exhibition. The Floraliën Palace is undoubtedly the most famous palace. In 1930, the appearance of the park changed again, this time in the context of the centenary of Belgium's independence.
When constructing the park, use was made of the existing slopes and relics of the former citadel. Here and there parts of the casemates can still be found. The 780 trees, including a number of rare specimens, are an additional attraction for visitors with a green heart.
The park has been a protected landscape since 1984. A bunker was built under the park in 1938 in the run-up to the Second World War, but it was not ready when the Germans invaded the country. The university's botanical garden and the Ledeganck campus are located on the edge of the Citadel Park.
Source: visit.gent.be/nl/zien-doen/citadelpark
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Green Valley Park
Highlight • Forest
The largest dog bed
An active group of local residents has already taken many original initiatives in the park. They constructed the "Groeneval Islands", some 180 m² floating island on the water at the Van Hembysebo Church. And they turned the dog walking pasture in the Groenevalleipark into a giant dog basket, the largest in Europe. It is a meter-high basket, woven from prunings.
Discover the classic and wild side
The neighborhood park of no less than 6 hectares consists of 2 parts: a classic part along the Nieuwewandeling and a wild new part against the Leie.
The classical part is laid out in the English landscape style. This can be recognized by the winding path, the hilly landscape with solitary trees and the shrub borders. At the end of the 19th century, this was a "new walk" along which the wealthy bourgeoisie could stroll.
The wild part of the Groenevalleipark is located on the spot where the buildings of textile factory La Lys used to be. After the demolition of the factory in the 1960s, the rubble remained. On that rubble, the terrain turned into a dense forest. Most of that forest was spared during the construction of the park.
The Groenevalleipark thus became an adventurous park, with playgrounds and lots of wooden posts, stairs and other play elements.
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Tips from the Community
Next to the park is a prison. Behind the park is the former Palace of Justice.
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The Citadel Park was laid out in 1875, designed by H. Van Hulle, on the site of the citadel, which was built between 1819 and 1831. The landscaped park features numerous deciduous trees, lawns and flowerbeds, wide avenues, ponds, artificial grottoes, waterfalls, rose gardens, and a pergola. Some of the park's buildings include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Feest- en Floraliapaleis (Festival and Floralia Palace), the citadel's entrance gate, the open-air theater, and the animal shelter.
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Historically, the Keuzemeersen are a deposit area of the old Leie that meandered in a former flat valley. The Keuzemeersen are therefore located in a bend of the Leie as well as further downstream on the left bank of the Leie, where the typical meadow landscape has been preserved: small meadow plots with pollard willows, a riverbank and a fine-meshed network of ditches with associated fauna and flora. An adjustable weir regulates the water level of the central meadows. The Keuzemeersen are located near a place that is historically described as Keuze. These meadows are part of a whole of connected areas that contain the word "meers" as a name, including the Latemse Meersen, the Beelaertmeersen, the Blaarmeersen and the Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen.
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Beautiful place at the Bron with the chapel of Saint Christiana
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The Christiana springs, from which waters and lemonades are still made, are also on your path, an authentic regional product and business. http://www.christiana.be/ Against the wall of the 'rock' you will find the spring above which the warehouse and house were built, and where spring water is still pumped up daily, purified and bottled.
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The Aelmoeseneiebos (or Aalmoezenijebos) is a nature reserve on the territory of the municipalities of Melle (Gontrode) and Oosterzele (Landskouter). The forest is 28.5 hectares in size and is owned by the University of Ghent. The forest area is now managed by the university Lab for Forest & Nature. The railway line Ghent-Geraardsbergen divides the forest in two. The Aelmoeseneiebos is an old forest area that already appeared on the Ferraris map in 1775. The forest was owned by the Saint Bavo's Abbey of Ghent for centuries. During the French period (1794-1815) it was transferred to the public poor relief of the city of Ghent. In 1967-1968 the Belgian State bought the forest so that the University of Ghent could use it as a test forest. The most important tree species are summer oak and beech, with ash and maple in the stream valleys. The Aelmoeseneiebos is known for its spring flora such as wood anemone, slender primrose, yellow dead-nettle and small periwinkle. During the First World War, the forest was largely cut down but replanted in 1920. Adjacent to the western part of the Aelmoeseneiebos, 10 hectares of plots of land belonging to Natuurpunt, Oosterzele department, are located in the valley of the Gondebeek. With the 'Rodeland landscape project' [1], the aim is to connect the Aelmoeseneiebos with the Makegemse forests through afforestation in the valleys of the Gondebeek, Kerkesbeek and Driesbeek[2][3]. In 2021, 5 amphibian tunnels were constructed in the Gondebeek valley[4]. Inventories and research in the Aelmoeseneiebos found 1329 different species: including 64 tree and shrub species and 599 species of invertebrates. The Aelmoeseneiebos is protected in Europe as part of the Natura 2000 area (habitat directive area) 'Forests of the south-east of the Zandleemstreek' (BE2300044). The forest is freely accessible on the footpaths.
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This nature reserve is a remnant of an extensive forest area that gradually had to make way for agriculture in the 18th century. The surrounding land and the forest were owned for centuries by the Aalmoezenij, the poor relief of the Ghent Saint Bavo's Abbey. The production of wood was the main function at that time. The forest was purchased by the Belgian state in 1967-1968 so that the University of Ghent could use it as a test forest. In the early years, it was mainly used for studies on the growth and management of forests with a view to wood production. It also had a recreational and educational function. Railway line 122 Melle-Geraardsbergen divides the forest in two. In the western part (where we walked) an arboretum was created in 1973. With the 'Rodeland landscape project', the aim is to connect the Aelmoeseneiebos with the Makegemse forests through further afforestation of a number of stream valleys.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most popular natural monuments around Gent for walking and nature observation?
For nature walks and bird spotting, Damvallei Lake is highly recommended. It's a low moor ecosystem with marked walking routes past moist hay meadows and peat pits. Another excellent choice is the Aelmoeseneiebos Stream and Wooden Bridge, an arboretum featuring over 60 tree species, freely accessible for walkers.
Are there family-friendly natural monuments in the Gent area?
Yes, several natural monuments are suitable for families. Both Damvallei Lake and Aelmoeseneiebos Stream and Wooden Bridge are categorized as family-friendly. Additionally, the Peace Monument offers a unique climbing experience and wide views that children might enjoy.
Where can I find good viewpoints or scenic natural features around Gent?
The Peace Monument in the Groenpool Gentbrugse Meersen is a steel structure with wooden planking that can be climbed, offering wide views of the surrounding Meersen landscape. For natural vistas, the Keuzemeersen nature reserve, with its wet grasslands and pollarded willows, provides picturesque river views.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see in Gent's natural areas?
Many of Gent's natural areas are excellent for wildlife spotting. Damvallei Lake is known as a prime spot for bird migrations, and its muddy banks attract reed and swamp vegetation with dragonflies, frogs, and salamanders. In Nature Reserve De Putten, you might spot uncommon bird species like the Oriole and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The Keuzemeersen are home to shovelers, yellow wagtails, reed buntings, and lapwings.
Are there any historical sites or unique landmarks among the natural monuments?
Yes, the Peace Monument is a man-made landmark within a natural setting, offering historical context and a viewpoint. While not strictly a natural monument, Schouwbroek Castle is listed as a historical site and natural monument, blending history with nature. The Saint Christiana Chapel and Spring also combines religious history with a natural spring.
What outdoor activities, besides walking, can I do near these natural monuments?
The region around Gent offers a variety of outdoor activities. For easy hikes, you can explore routes like the 'Old Kalevallei hiking route' or the 'Doornhammeke Route' which are part of the Easy hikes around Gent guide. If you enjoy running, the 'Loop in the Bourgoyen' or 'Running along the Lys' are popular options from the Running Trails around Gent guide. For cycling, consider gravel biking routes such as the 'Gentbrugse Meersen and Schelderoute Loop' found in the Gravel biking around Gent guide.
What is the best time of year to visit the natural monuments around Gent?
The natural monuments around Gent can be enjoyed year-round. Spring and summer offer lush greenery, blooming flora, and active wildlife, making them ideal for walks and picnics. Autumn brings beautiful foliage, while winter provides a serene, quiet atmosphere for crisp walks, especially in areas like the Aelmoeseneiebos. Many areas, like Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, are particularly renowned for bird migrations, which can be observed during specific seasons.
Are the natural monuments around Gent accessible by public transport?
Many of Ghent's green spaces and natural areas are well-integrated with the city's public transport network. For instance, Blaarmeersen Sports and Recreation Park is easily accessible from the city center. While specific public transport details for each individual natural monument might vary, Ghent's commitment to nature means many areas are reachable, often with a short walk from a bus or tram stop. It's advisable to check local transport schedules for specific destinations.
Are dogs allowed on the trails and in the natural monuments?
Generally, many natural areas around Gent are dog-friendly, especially on marked trails, provided dogs are kept on a leash. However, specific rules can vary by reserve or park, particularly in sensitive ecological areas where wildlife might be disturbed. It's always best to look for signage at the entrance of each natural monument to confirm their specific dog policies.
Are there any hidden natural gems or lesser-known spots worth exploring?
Beyond the more prominent sites, Ghent offers several charming, smaller green spaces. Muinkpark is known for its tranquility and impressive trees, being a remnant of the 19th-century Ghent zoo. Other spots like Appelbrugparkje and Baudelohof offer peaceful retreats. The Nature Reserve De Putten, with its mosaic of moist meadows and swamp forests, also offers a unique, less-trafficked experience.
What facilities are available near the natural monuments, such as cafes or restrooms?
While specific facilities vary, larger recreational areas like Blaarmeersen Sports and Recreation Park are well-equipped with amenities, including restrooms and potentially cafes or kiosks. Citadelpark, being centrally located, is close to city amenities. For other natural monuments, especially those further from the city center, it's a good idea to plan ahead, as facilities might be limited to what's available in nearby villages or towns.
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