The Zwin Nature Reserve – Zwin Dunes and Polders loop from Knokke-Heist

Running trails & routes

The Zwin Nature Reserve – Zwin Dunes and Polders loop from Knokke-Heist

Moderate

4.0

(8)

1,665

runners

The Zwin Nature Reserve – Zwin Dunes and Polders loop from Knokke-Heist

01:06

10.5km

30m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: November 4, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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2.18 km

The Zwin Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

In 2019 the new cycling and walking path of the "Zwin" nature reserve between Cadzand-Bad and Knokke-Heist was officially opened.

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4.95 km

Hospitality (Leaping Hare Sculpture by Barry Flanagan)

Highlight • Monument

The hopping hare that you can find in the dunes at the end of the sea wall of Knokke is a bronze sculpture by Barry Flanagan. Although the official name is Hospitality, the hare is also called keuning van’t Zwin, Bugs Bunny or t' keun by the locals.

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5.18 km

Overview map in the national park

Highlight • Other

An overview of the surrounding area

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6.09 km

Zwin Pathway

Highlight • Trail

6.99 km

Zwin Dunes and Polders

Highlight • Natural

With an area of 222 hectares, this approximately 200-year-old dune area forms a natural transition between sea, beach and polder.

Until the end of the 19th century, these dunes, forests, pastures and meadows were constantly changing under the influence of the sea. The area looked like today's Zwin; with mudflats, salt marshes and gullies closed off on the sea side by a belt of dunes. The Zwin dunes and polders only got their present form in 1872-1873, when the international dike was built to protect the area from the sea.

Since then, man has left clear traces here again and again: in the summer of 1929 the area was a golf course (although you had to putt and hit between sheep, because it was still used as pasture), shortly afterwards a horse racing track and riding arena were built. International show jumping competitions were held on it until the 1960s. The Kleyne Vlakte next door was even converted into a 40-acre airport in the early 1930s.

Even the world wars left their mark on this tactically important area. Large areas were concreted over.

In 2002 the Flemish government bought the area and from 2004 it was restored. Today you can experience it in "natural", if not really original splendor, with fauna and flora, which ultimately can only survive here thanks to careful human intervention.

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