The best traffic-free bike rides around Hulst

The creek area of Saleghem is more than the sum of its parts. The nature reserve consists of the Grote Saleghemgeul on one side, and the Sint-Jakobsgat and the Kieldrechtse Watergang on the other. This triumvirate of water creeks then flows into the Grote Geule in Kieldrecht. Each separately is beautiful, yes. But together they are magical. The succession of gently sloping banks, grassland and hay, rare birds and colourful flowers, rustling reeds and melancholic willows: it silences a person. It inspires awe for the magic of nature. And everyone can enjoy it – even wheelchair users, because there is a special wheelchair walk around the creek lakes. This is what waasland.be writes... and there is nothing to contradict it.

The Wullebos is located on a former sand drift ridge and is 69 hectares in size. The name comes from "wulle", meaning "long-eared owl". The Abelebeek and Wullebosbeek streams run through the forest, both in a northerly direction. The Papdijk, built in 1691, also runs through the area. A checkerboard pattern of avenues is present both in the forest and in the agricultural area to its south. It indicates reclamation in the second half of the 18th century. The agricultural area was deforested in the course of the 19th century, preserving the checkerboard structure. The Baggaarthof is located in the area, around which numerous ghost stories circulate. source: 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"

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.

This open water (creek) is a remnant of a military inundation in the fight against the French in the War of the Spanish Succession - period 1701–1713. By breaching this dike, the polders behind it around Koewacht were flooded. When restoring the dike, they went around the deepest part of the stream channel.

On this winding gravel path, you will discover a special piece of the past and nature at Fort Sint-Jacob. This historic fort is part of the impressive Staats-Spaanse Linies and was strategically located between Fort Sint-Joseph and Fort Sint-Livinus, as part of the Line of Communication between Hulst and Sas van Gent. Here you can still feel the traces of the Eighty Years' War, when the fort was constructed in 1634 to protect the hinterland from invasions. Only a few years later, it fell into other hands, making the story of this place all the more captivating. Fort Sint-Jacob was once a compact, square redoubt with sturdy earthen ramparts and a protective moat. Today, these contours are still clearly visible in the landscape, allowing you as a visitor to literally walk through history. Thanks to careful restorations, including a reconstructed courtyard and a new drawbridge, the fort has been brought back to life. At the same time, nature has been given free rein here. The area is managed by Staatsbosbeheer and has grown into a peaceful nature reserve. Whether you are interested in history, enjoy walking, cycling, or simply want to escape the hustle and bustle: Fort Sint-Jacob invites you to come and see, discover, and enjoy.

An ideal stopping point on your cycling or hiking experience: Step back in time and discover a hidden piece of history: Fort Sint-Jacob. This fascinating remnant from the Eighty Years' War takes you back to a period when borders were still fought over and waterways made the difference between safety and danger. Located on the Passageule, this fort once formed a crucial link between the Spanish Netherlands and the States' territories. As part of the impressive States-Spanish Lines, Fort Sint-Jacob guarded the border and held back enemy infiltrations from the north. After the Peace of Münster, the fort lost its military function and slowly faded into obscurity. Nature took over, until around 2010 it was restored with care and respect for the past. Today, you can once again experience the contours of the past, including a replica of a cannon that symbolises the struggle that was once waged here. But Fort Sint-Jacob is more than just history. It is a place where peace and nature meet. The ramparts and moats now form a unique landscape where special plants and animals feel at home, typical of the brackish Zeeland area. Whether you are walking or cycling, this is an ideal place to pause, enjoy, and let yourself be carried away by the past. Let yourself be surprised and experience Fort Sint-Jacob for yourself.

The gravel path is semi-hardened. The landscape you see here was partly shaped during the Spanish-Dutch struggle in the Eighty Years' War. Note the dikes and elevations in the landscape. These were important during the turbulent war years.