The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Sint-Niklaas

The Stropersbos is located right on the Belgian-Dutch border and forms a whole with the Clingse Bossen, as the forest on the Dutch side of the border is called. The history of the forest dates back to the 13th century. This means that the forest has experienced wars, and from one of those wars, the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713), very clear traces can still be seen: there are still a number of remnants of the Line that served here in 1701. A little further north, there are also remains of Fort Sint-Jan (from which the Dutch municipality Sint-Jan-Steen derives its name). But even if you are not interested in that history, the Stropersbos is a special place, both for the tree and plant lover, the birdwatcher, the playing child, the boot-wearing walker who likes to trudge through mud, the bivouacker, ... and everyone who simply enjoys a walk. There is a good chance you will encounter wild horses, pass grazing sheep, or that - who knows, maybe you'll be as lucky as I was - roe deer or a fox will cross your path. In short: a very beautiful hiking area ...

Open every day except Monday from 11:00 AM; on Mondays only from 5:00 PM.

On Friday, April 5, 1867, the Spletterenbrug was officially opened. Between Moerbeke and Lokeren, trains stopped in Daknam and Eksaarde. In Moerbeke, travelers could transfer to railway line 77 towards Zelzate or towards Sint-Gillis-Waas. That the intention was to one day double the 9-kilometer railway line to two tracks is still visible on the Spletterenbrug. Both bridge abutments are indeed twice as wide as the bridge deck itself. It never came to that. On the contrary. The railway line suffered during both world wars, causing traffic to be suspended for months. For example, retreating German soldiers blew up the bridge at the end of World War I. Less than a year after the armistice, in September 1919, the line was already restored and trains could run on the route again. In 1940, the Belgian army, in turn, tried to slow down the German advance by destroying the bridge. The bridge was repaired again. In 1971, the last train chugged along the route. After more than a century of train traffic, the tracks were dismantled and the route was redeveloped as a cycling and walking path from Lokeren to Moerbeke. The Spletterenbrug itself was preserved and restored in 2017. The seven layers of paint were removed, and the bridge regained its original, dark gray color. Source: industriecultuur.be

beautiful rampart

At this hidden location, you can discover a hidden resting place. Once a beautiful viewpoint of the Scheldt. A place of entertainment and enjoyment by the river. Historical significance: It may sound unlikely, but this unique building was originally the Swedish pavilion at the 1930 World's Fair in Antwerp. Historical significance of this location: Until World War II, residents of Bazel and Hemiksem came here to cool off in the concrete pool filled with Scheldt water. The adjacent pavilion served as a cafeteria and bathhouse at the time. The municipality decided to preserve the pavilion as a landmark on the Scheldt. Today, this place is an idyllic spot for many walkers and cyclists in the Polders of Kruibeke.

Den Hert is a forest with a pond and is part of the De Linie nature reserve. The area is managed by the non-profit organization Durme. The peep wall is an observation wall where you can observe and photograph birds up close. The wall was built with support from the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB) and sponsor Natuurkijkers.be. Together with the surrounding forests, Den Hert forms a large, contiguous nature reserve (approximately 300 hectares). Since 2006, the area has been made more nature-friendly: exotic species were removed, several plane trees with tree hollows were left standing (a roost for woodpeckers and bats), and in 2015, the banks of the pond were modified. Steep banks were replaced with a gentler slope, and more light was introduced around the pond. Species including bulrush, cattail, and water lily now grow around the pond. In summer, this is a breeding ground for various waterfowl. In late summer, the water level is often low: ideal for kingfishers, which can then fish up close. On muddy banks, you can sometimes also spot wading birds or wagtails. In autumn and winter, many songbirds come to the feeding table. On the way to the viewing wall, you walk over a "rabat": a raised earthen strip, an old system for planting forests on wet ground. The viewing wall is accessible from August 15th to March 15th to give the animals a rest during the breeding season. Approach the viewing wall as quietly as possible. Dogs are left at the entrance.

It could have been a chapel, but now it's a place of peace, shelter, and birdwatching in a beautiful location...

Descend and take on the challenge of the wet polder...