Through the Heidebos

In Wachtebeke, on the border between Waasland and Meetjesland, you can not only take pleasant walks in the Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck. For this trip to and through the Heidebos and back along the moody Moervaart you start in the center. On the Village you can park at the Sint-Catharina-kerk (1199) (V).
With the church on your right, start towards the crossroads. Past a chip shop - with a record for tone poet Camille Saman (1885-1974) - you cross over to the Dr. Jules Persijnplein. Right at the end of the square, past the police station, turn right until you reach a busy road. Cross over and turn left. The first street on the right, the Azalealaan, leads you past the Davidse Molen (1). In this residential area you turn the first street on the right into the Begonialaan. Turn left in the Rozenlaan and turn right in the Parklaan.
At the Post on the corner turn left into the Stationsstraat. Beyond house no. 105, the former station converted into a residential house, the old railway was replaced by a concrete bicycle and walking path. Take this path on the right and follow it until the first intersection. Turn left (Axelvaardeken) and turn right past no. 23. Past the protected Oude Maalderij (right) and florist Van Eetvelde you follow the forest path straight ahead. On a T in the forest turn left, along with a Bloso cycle route (blue arrow). Turn right at some houses near a concrete road.
On the other side is the entrance to the fenced Heidebos (2), with parking and information board. In this vast forest area - 270 ha in Wachtebeke and Moerbeke, managed by Natuurpunt - you can roam the paths or follow one (or more) of the three well-signposted tours. The red walk (4 km) for example takes you winding through this mixed forest with lots of open space, fences, bridges, information signs and sturdy galloway cattle.
After the walk in the Heidebos you go back up the forest path from earlier, a few hundred meters on the well-known road and continue straight on to the old railway bed.
Cross the old railway bed to the narrow path that becomes a wider agricultural road, back to civilization. You come from the Puttestraat on the Kalve district (with agglomeration sign Wachtebeke). Just to the left on the sidewalk and then across the busier Kalve, to the street Kalvebrug. A few hundred meters further is the Kalvebrug (3) itself: a protected monument.
Over the Moervaart you step right along the water before the Kano and Kajak Center (at cycle junction 83). The Moervaart - only recreation - brings you effortlessly back to Wachtebeke. For hikers, cyclists and canoeists it is a few km to enjoy the picturesque banks with pollard and weeping willows, along the swampy nature reserve De Reepkens with its inlets, on the left in the distance Puyenbroeck and an information board about a nature bike tour. With the Ghent Canal Zone in the distance you reach the Overlede bridge, with a bench and picnic table. Over the bridge you can go straight to the church, but for a nice detour turn left and continue with the water now on your left. Continue walking past the marina and the retirement home. Where the Langelede flows into the Moervaart, turn right along with the water, past a pumping station to a wider road. Cross and follow the bank of the Langelede with the weeping willows and take a gravel path between houses nos. 2 and 4 to the Village. Then turn left to the church, past the beautifully restored Vierschaar (1579-1610) (4).

Attention: NO dogs are allowed on the red and green walk!