The best traffic-free bike rides around Stekene

Here and there in Flanders, places of remembrance have been created in recent years, intended as spots that invite you to pause and reflect on a person you miss. What is characteristic of the place of remembrance that the municipality of Stekene created here in Tragelstraat is that it is specifically aimed at cherishing deceased children. The place originated in consultation with a group of parents who lost their child.

On a plot of almost three hectares, between Brugstraat, Kaaistraat and the railway line, drinks dealer Charles Vydt built an outdoor swimming pool, party hall, and café with terrace in 1936. After WWII, Het Zomerhuis experienced its years of success. For decades, it was a popular destination where many generations of Stekenaars and visitors from far and wide spent their holidays. At the end of the 20th century, Het Zomerhuis fell into disrepair. In 2008, the municipality bought the former recreational domain to give a new tourist impulse to the site. In 2013, the old building was demolished. In the following years, plans for redevelopment were developed. In 2019, the works started and on October 17 and 18, 2020, Park Zomerhuis, with brasserie Het Zomerhuis, officially opened to the public. Shortly thereafter, the surrounding green space, the current park, was laid out. Source: Information panels on site

During the Second World War, all bridges in Stekene were blown up by the Germans. In 1945, all five were restored. Seven years later, the Stekense Vaart was declared unnavigable. At Aan de Brugstraat, everything was dammed to guarantee pure drinking water for Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. As a result, the canal between Kaaistraat and Tragelstraat, and thus also here at the bridge near Park Zomerhuis, became an open sewer. The canal problem lasted for years, with complaints and symptoms of illness among the local residents. The commissioning of the water treatment plant in Sint-Niklaas, in 1964, finally solved the problem fundamentally. bron: stekene.be

The former station of Klein-Sinaai was located on line 77, which ran from Sint-Gillis-Waas to Zelzate. In 1974, the Kemzeke - Moerbeke section was dismantled and shortly thereafter converted into an asphalted walking and cycling path, an early example, as recreational cycling was still relatively rare around 1980. In 1981, the former station was converted into the hamlet's post office and from 2011 onwards into a youth center, as is still the case. sources: Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed & Wikipedia

The wooden arch bridge over the Stekense Vaart, named after Frans Coppens, was receiver-clerk in the municipality of Sinaai for almost a quarter of a century. He played an important role in "de Groote Watering van Sinay", the name given to the project launched by the Boerenbond in 1926. This project was initiated after repeated floods and aimed to make the polders 'dry'. The construction of the pumping station near Hondsnest was one of the first achievements within this project. During the Second World War, the unemployed were employed to clean or widen ditches. Under the impetus of dike reeve Jozef "meester" Maes and... receiver-clerk Frans Coppens (!), major reclamation works were carried out in the 60s, continuing into the following decades. Thus, Hondsnest got a new pumping station in 1975. In the meantime, the watering area had been converted into a polder, pursuant to the polder law of June 3, 1957. source: info file "Polder Daknam-Sinaai"

Nice gravel along Nature Reserve 'De Witte Bergen'. Some steering skill is a plus. Some sections can be quite loose.

On this segment, you will get to know the Stropersbos. A bench awaits you at the heathland restoration area. About the Stropersbos: the Stropersbos is a must-see natural gem with its stately avenues, valuable alder swamp forests, open spaces with heathland, and its large grazers! Together with the adjacent green areas, the Stropersbos forms one of the largest forest and nature complexes in East Flanders. Numerous walking and cycling opportunities allow visitors to discover the Stropersbos.

The Dambrug bridge dates from the interwar period and was restored and partially renewed around 1945 after war damage. Originally, the bridge was manually operated, but it now has hydraulic operation. Source: Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed