The opening of Ockerhout, which we wanted to celebrate with a walk on March 29, 2020, cannot take place, and therefore we would like to offer local residents the description of this walk with the resting place Ockerhout as the starting and ending point.

Note: Follow the government guidelines so that no one gets sick. Walk only with family or with two (one friend). If you encounter someone, greet them kindly but maintain at least one and a half meters distance. The benches may currently only be used by the elderly, pregnant women, or less mobile visitors to rest, but maintain distance from each other there as well. There is a small bike rack in Ockerhout. Please be courteous to the neighborhood and do not leave any litter behind. In Vloethemveld and Ockerhout, your dog must be on a leash.

Walk to the new resting place (POI - resting place Ockerhout) and enjoy the view of Ockerhout. From here you can see the pond and the young forest (POI - new forest Ockerhout) well.

You take the path on the left and walk towards the already mature forest, weaving between the young trees. Via a narrow path through the forest, you reach Kezelbergstraat. Here you turn right until you reach Stakedreef (POI - Stakedreef) on your left.

You now walk straight ahead and cross the Diksmuidse Heirweg.

In this avenue, you will soon leave the built-up area behind you and find yourself in a varied landscape of fields and forests. The former sandy road is now somewhat hardened as it also serves as a bike path. The path is also part of the Westtoer junction network and takes you to the border of Zedelgem and Snellegem. You now walk left via Hageweg towards Vloethemveld. On your right, you can spot Oosthof and the church tower of Snellegem. With a bit of luck, you might see deer diving into the forest ahead of you. In full sun, bumblebees and sand bees are also active. They make small hollows in the sandy roads and cannot sting humans. A recent study shows that Vloethemveld, due to its nature, counts more than 100 species of wild bees!

You now arrive at Snellegemstraat. Be careful when crossing this dangerous road!

You reach Kastanjehaege (POI - Kastanjehaege), a new avenue located on a farmer's property. Respect his plot and definitely do not leave any litter behind. The valuable hedge is part of the protected cultural-historical landscape of Vloethemveld.

In 1296, Count Gwijde of Dampierre donated the 'Vloethemveld', described as “… wildlands or fields located between the parishes of Snellengheem, Zedelgheem, and Artrike…”, to the Bruges St. John's Hospital. To cultivate the field, the St. John's Hospital built several farms on the edge of the area: the 'Hildeghemhof' (first mentioned in 1273), the 'Vloethemhof' (first mentioned in 1478), and 'Noortweghe'. The higher Diksmuidse Heirweg (part of an old Roman Heerweg) running east of the protected landscape played an important role in the reclamation of Vloethemveld, unlike the lower 'den Ouden Eerneghemsewegh' that runs straight through the then swampy Vloethemveld.

From Kastanjehaege, you reach De Baetsdreef. Just a little further left is Maantjeveld, a small hamlet (POI - district Maantjeveld).

The name part Maantje refers to a pond, depicted in 1769 on a map of Vloethemveld. This pond has the shape of a half moon and is known by the name "Maentje-vyver." The area borders the "Vloethemveld" to the west and is depicted on the Ferraris map (1770-1778) with fenced fields and orchards, some of which contain buildings.

We walk straight into De Baetsdreef and take Polderdreef directly ahead at the sharp turn to the right. Polderdreef is lined with large stately beech trees, which are still in spring mode. At the first turn in the forest, you take the left path, Doorndreef.

Look in the banks of the ditch for the double-leafed fern (POI - dubbelloof). This fern is named so because it produces 2 different types of leaves. The broad leaves provide nutrients to the plant. The thin leaves contain the spores with which the fern can reproduce. This species is very typical for our moist beech forests. Its favorite spot is the edge of a small ditch under the dreeftrees.

Along this avenue, you will also find the indication of the yellow and blue walking loop in Vloethemveld. Both routes show you a large part of Vloethemveld. More walking tips for Vloethemveld can be found on the website www.natuurenbos.be/vloethemveld.

In Doorndreef, you arrive at an open space and turn right into Legedreef. This avenue leads you to the Forbiobos.

The Forbiobos was planted in 2010 with the aim of researching the growth of young forests (POI - Forbiobos). Different species have been planted and are being monitored by Ghent University. At the end of Legedreef, you take the left grassy strip that leads you to Forbiobos.

In the light-rich and open Forbiobos, there are several broad drainage ditches. You continue walking straight until you reach the gravel road Vloethemveldstraat. Here you turn left, and a few meters further you turn again, now taking Vloethemveldzate.

With a lovely view of the farm Noorthwege, you walk towards Diksmuidse Heirweg.

Be careful when crossing!

You walk past the community garden site with pool towards the center of Zedelgem. Once you reach Snellegemstraat, you take a moment to turn left onto Kezelbergstraat. This quiet street quickly brings you back into the expansive fields. At the fork with Hollebeekstraat, you soon encounter Stakedreef on the left, where you can walk left back to the starting point of your route.

We wish you a refreshing walk. Stay healthy!