The nature

The green Westhoek

• From the dunes on the West Coast to Kemmel Hill (Kemmelberg), from the Hoppeland in Poperinge to the Handzamevallei. In this agriculture-dominated area, you can find an abundance of many different types of greenery and untouched nature spots.
• A visit to the nature reserve De Blankaart in Woumen, near The Ark van Zarren, is an absolute must. A 50 ha large lake, reed beds and low hay lands are situated in this watery area. Every year, thousands of birds come to the wetlands to hibernate and to breed. When you walk in De Blankaart, you become one with the peaceful nature. A guided round trip in a whisper boat is another unforgettable and enriching adventure. Don’t forget your binocular or your boots in rainfall periods.   tel. +32 (0)51/545962    + 32 (0)51/545244    www.natuurpunt.be/westvlaanderen
• The landscape of TheYser Valley, which runs through the northern part of the Westhoek towards the sea, exudes unspoiled natural beauty in a green environment. When you follow Dixmude (Diksmuide) upstream, you can continue through St-Jacobskapelle and again along the Yser or through the Old Sea Dike (Oude Zeedijk) to the Knokke Bridge (Knokkebrug). Here, you have the option to turn to the left where you will discover the verdant banks of the Yperlee Canal (Ieperleekanaal) towards the Driegrachtenbrug. Npo De Boot has 2 barges moored here: sun bicycles, whisper boats, special individual or group arrangements etc. ( tel. +32 (0)58/287056   mobile : +32 (0)475/214320    www.deboot.be). From the Knokke Bridge (Knokkebrug), further upstream, the Yser runs through Fintele towards Roesbrugge-Haringe and France.   When you follow the river from Dixmude (Diksmuide), continue direction Stuivekenskerke and you will reach the nature reserve “Viconia Kleiputten” (open water, reed marsh, rare birds ,...). The Yser flows further through Tervate and Schoorbakke to Nieuwpoort. (see also the “Boterland” cycling route)

Walking & cycling

The Westhoek offers many signposted walking and cycling routes. Furthermore, the new Cycle Network Westhoek, which will cross the entire region and which will have a junction-signposting in both directions, will be ready as from May 2005. Please visit the website www.toerismewesthoek.be for a complete overview and description of all the routes.

• Walking routes in our neighbourhood : “Driegrachten” walking path (Merkem) 6,5 km, Blankaart-walking path (Woumen-Dixmude (Diksmuide) ) 9.6 km, Zannekin walking path (Lampernisse) 6.4 km, Beverdijk walking path (Pollinkhove) 8.2 km.
• Cycling routes in our neigbourhood: Boterlandroute (Dixmude – Diksmuide) 44 km, Krekedalroute (Dixmude – Diksmuide) 47 km, Bakelandroute (Houthulst-Langemark) 46 km, Molenroute (Kortemark)

The coast

From the Westhoek you reach by car or by bike the coast in no time. The Westhoek stretches from Middelkerke and Westende over Nieuwpoort and Oostduinkerke to Koksijde and De Panne and further to France. Each of these bathing resorts offers an abundance of holiday plans to its guests.

• Westende tel. +32 (0)59/302085
• Middelkerke : tel. +32 (0)59/300368    www.middelkerke.be
• Nieuwpoort : tel. +32 (0)58/224444    www.nieuwpoort.be
• Koksijde : tel. +32 (0)58/532121    www.koksijde.be
• De Panne: tel. +32 (0)58/ 421818    www.depanne.be

 

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