Ter Doest Hiking Route

Ter Doest Hiking Trail: a story about the white polder village

In the immediate vicinity of Bruges and the Bruges seaport lies Lissewege. The white polder village was once chosen as one of the most beautiful villages in Flanders. Time has indeed stood still here. White cottages in the picturesque village center and the Lisseweegs Vaartje, which splits the village in two, create authenticity. Artists and well-known writers regularly find their place here as well. The adjacent polder landscape invites one to take a walk along the provincial Ter Doest hiking route.

A very large church

High above the polder landscape towers the Church of Our Lady of the Visitation among the white picturesque village centers. It is hard to miss. Compared to the small village, Lissewege has a church that is far too large. It was built in the 13th century under the supervision of the Knights Templar and originally served as a safe resting place for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. This immediately explains the three shell symbols of Santiago in the village’s coat of arms. The church tower can be visited with or without a guide. However, one must endure the climb of 264 stone spiral stairs. From the 75-meter-high blunt tower, one can admire the village unhindered and enjoy the extraordinary view over the polder landscape. On clear days, one can see the beautiful Bruges and the nearby harbor of Zeebrugge. With a bit of luck, one can also see the coast of the Zeeland island of Walcheren. Despite the proximity to the sea, the tower has nothing to do with a lighthouse. Due to lack of funds, the church tower was never completed.

Willem of Saefthinge

Moreover, the village looks back on a tumultuous history. Historical figures, of whom Willem of Saefthinge is the most famous, shaped the village's glory. In the shadow of the church tower, his heroic deed is immortalized with a monument. He was a lay brother who, during the Battle of the Golden Spurs, knocked the French leader, Count Robert II of Artois, off his horse. A little further down, on Walram Romboudt Street, lies the renovated visitor center. Anyone who, like us, wants to learn about the unique past of Lissewege should definitely pay a visit. Unique photos, maps, paintings, and a collection of archaeological finds from the former Cistercian monastery Ter Doest illustrate the rich history. Right next to the church in the old rectory is the Saints Museum. There one finds a unique collection of statues of patron saints, totaling more than 200.

Boudewijn Canal

After our visit, we join the Ter Doest hiking route. A triumphant old line of willow trees immediately sets the right tone for this provincial hiking route. The hexagonal signs reading ‘Detour’ later create confusion. You don’t have to deviate from the hiking route at all, let alone take the boring detour! Just follow the unpaved path straight ahead, after which the towing path along the 70-meter-wide King Boudewijn Canal, which connects Bruges with the port of Zeebrugge, will take over. In a straight line, we follow the newly renovated towing path.

It's by no means boring! One has a full view of the colorful riverbanks, which are full of life. Twisting, sparkling water creatures, dragonflies, and circling herons and cormorants are plentiful here. The canal, which was dug between 1896 and 1905, was simply called Canal Brugge-Zeebrugge at that time. During a visit by the late King Boudewijn in 1953, the canal was renamed Boudewijn Canal. In the distance, the Roskam Bridge waves over the A11. For some, it is a sight to behold in the polderland, for others, it is a striking piece of architectural work. Fortunately, we as hikers do not need to cross the bridge. Because then you risk standing in front of an open bridge. Ships pass by here twice a day, and they close the road for a quarter of an hour.

Monnikenmoere

Fortunately, we turn our backs to the bridge and continue our way on the Ter Doest hiking route on a higher embankment, which overlooks a low-lying nature reserve with lots of reeds, ditches, and salty meadows. About 1000 years ago, this area formed an extensive tidal area with sea bays, brooks, mudflats, and salt marshes. The Cistercian monks of the former monastery Ter Doest drained the area by building dikes to remove the tidal influence of the sea. The land enclosed by dikes, which was previously mudflat and salt marsh area, became the polder. From the 12th century, clay was also extracted and peat was harvested here. With the extracted peat and clay, the monks baked the “Moefen” to build the monastery and church of Lissewege. The former Monnickenmoere or Monnickenwerve is also referred to as “the monks' moor”.

Abbey Ter Doest

A little further on, the chapel of Ter Doest points to the direction of the former Cistercian abbey. Unfortunately, not much remains of the abbey itself, except for the huge tithe barn and some outbuildings. These outbuildings, constructed from the rubble of the abbey after its destruction by the Geuzen, are now a hotel-restaurant. The chapel itself was founded in 1651 by Martin a Colle, the then abbot of Ter Doest. Numerous works of art stand around the area. The statues are part of the Sculpture Route. Every summer between June and September, about 100 national and international artists exhibit in the white village of Lissewege.

’t Lisseweegs Vaartje

We continue the Ter Doest hiking route with a meadow crossing and a less beautiful stretch along a railway embankment. Fortunately, the Lisseweegs Vaartje in the village center brings us relief. The old waterway, which was dug in the 13th century as a trade route between Bruges and the North Sea, is simply a sight to behold and photogenic. Initially, the waterway was used as an access road for the Doorniker Blue Stone during the construction of the church and the abbey of Ter Doest. During the summer months, thousands of flowers bloom along the shores, providing the backdrop for the art route. The walk in the picturesque white village can be concluded in one of the many dining establishments. Near the Lisseweegs Vaartje and the Church of Our Lady of the Visitation, many terraces invite you for a drink and a snack. You can end your visit at De Soete Paepe, the sweetest candy store in the entire region.

Practical:

Distance: 6.3 km

Start & Parking: You will find the starting point near the old rectory, now VVV Lissewege. Free parking is available near the Church of Our Lady of the Visitation or at the parking lot near the Lissewege train station. You follow the route using the hexagonal signs marking the Ter Doest hiking route.

Not suitable for wheelchair users. At some points, the hiking route can be quite muddy, especially after heavy rainfall and in autumn.

Accommodation:

Hostellerie De Goedendag Lisseweegsvaartje 2 • 8380 Lissewege • T 0032(0) 50 54 53 35 • info@degoedendag.be • www.degoedendag.be

B&B Pronkenburg . Ter Doeststraat 30 • 8380 Lissewege • T 0478 26 14 93 • info@pronkeburg.be • www.pronkenburg.be

Beautiful addresses nearby:

Eethuisje Huyze Saeftinghe, right at Our Lady – Under the Tower 5 – 8380 Lissewege – T. 050 73 60 25 – info@huyzesaefthinge.be – www.huyzesaefthinge.be

Things to do:

The Saints Museum encompasses a unique collection of saint figures – Alte Pastoriestraat 5 – 8380 Lissewege – vvv.lissewege@hotmail.com – www.visitlissewege.be

De Soete Paepe, the sweetest candy store in the entire region. Walram Romboudstraat 7 – 8930 Lissewege – www.desoetepaepe.be

With thanks to Visit West Flanders