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Scheldt mudflats – View of the Scheldt River loop from Hedwigepolder

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Scheldt mudflats – View of the Scheldt River loop from Hedwigepolder

Easy

4.0

(1)

hikers

Scheldt mudflats – View of the Scheldt River loop from Hedwigepolder

01:02

4.10km

10m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 28, 2026

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Parking

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1.04 km

Ouden Doel Radar Tower

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Radartoren Ouden Doel is a lookout point of eight meters high.
Tower is accessible to anyone who wants to get to know the spacious environment.
When the weather is clear, you have a beautiful view of the shipping traffic at the top.
Life in the peaceful polder landscape will certainly appeal to every nature lover. During your visit you can stay informed about the latest developments of the Hedwige-Prosper project.
Due to the depoldering, the tides are given free rein here and a unique tidal nature with mud flats and salt marshes is created. This nature restoration is a collaboration between the Flemish Sigma Plan and the Dutch Westerschelde Nature Package.

So, now everyone who has read this highlight is immediately aware of the ins and outs in the estuary of the Scheldt.

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1.15 km

Doelpolder North

Highlight • Natural

Doelpolder Noord is a fascinating piece of land in Belgium, located near the village of Doel, in the province of East Flanders. This area has become a symbol of the struggle between man and nature, economic interests and environmental protection.

For centuries, the polder was a fertile agricultural area, along the dikes and locks that protected the low-lying land against flooding from the Scheldt. Farmers in the Doelpolder Noord grew crops and raised livestock, eking out a modest but stable existence.

But in the second half of the 20th century, the plot of the Doelpolder Noord began to change. The expansion of the port of Antwerp brought changes. Plans for the construction of new docks and infrastructure threatened the polder. The dikes were constructed, and some parts of the area were rezoned for industrial use.

These developments caused a fierce debate between proponents of economic growth and opponents who wanted to preserve the unique nature and agricultural traditions of the polder. Ecologists pointed to the area's valuable wetlands and biodiversity, as farmers act to preserve their land.

Ultimately, the pressure of port development caused part of the Doelpolder Noord to be cleared and converted into an industrial site. This is causing outrage and sadness among some residents and environmentalists. Yet another part of the polder has been preserved as a protected and protected landscape, where migratory birds and wildlife thrive.

Doelpolder Noord remains a symbol of the sustainable struggle between economic expansion and environmental conservation. It is an area with a complex and rich biodiversity, which continues to evolve under the influence of systematic discussion and political management. The balance between economy and nature conservation remains a challenge for this significant piece of Belgian landscape.

#WandelTotaal

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