Assenede

Nothing suggests that the sea was ever close here. Both Assenede and Boekhoute had access to open water via a harbor canal. Little remains of the ports now, and the sea, in the form of the Western Scheldt, lies miles away here, in Dutch territory. It is clearly visible that human hands have wrested thousands of hectares of land from the sea. The dikes lined with trees tell you the history of this area. Streams and ditches show that the fight against the water was not always successful.
DEPARTURE POINT
You can reach the church of Assenede by taking the N49-E34 and exiting right for the N448 to Assenede 3 km after the Zelzate tunnel. 1 km further on, you take a left into the center, which you reach after 2.5 km.
PARKING
Marketplace.
TYPE OF ROAD
Predominantly quiet concrete roads, some dirt paths, a busier road when approaching Boekhoute.
ACCESSIBILITY
Impossible for strollers and wheelchairs; dogs must be on a leash at Doornendijk.
INFORMATION
-Tourism Meetjesland: Van Hoorebekeplein 1, 9900 Eeklo, Tel. 09 377 86 00, Fax 09 377 59 54, meetjesland@toerismevlaanderen.be, www.meetjesland.be.
? www.assenede.be.
EATING & DRINKING
-Tavern-Restaurant Klein Assenede: Markt 1, 9960 Assenede, Tel. 09 344 09 35, open Fri.-Mon. 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM, Thu. from 6:00 PM.
-Tavern-Restaurant Prins Caerdinaal: Markt 2, 9960 Assenede, Tel. 09 344 62 32.
-Restaurant De Casseye: Hoogstraat 11, 9960 Assenede, Tel. 09 344 94 24.
-Tavern De Vlaamse Jager: Kasteeldijkstraat 13, 9960 Assenede.
-Two cafés at the church of Boekhoute (De Kring, De Gouden Appel).