3/06/2020
The Latemse Meersen, little paintings in the bends of the Leie, in a landscape sculpted by the Leie. Gnarled pollard willows guide the route away from the Leie, into the meadows, surrounded by hay fields and arable land. In 1996, the landscape was also officially protected. Natuurpunt presents two hiking routes here, each with a separate starting point. In Sint-Martens-Latem, the 'Latemse Meersen' starts, and in Afsnee, the 'Afsnee-Keuzeroute' starts (in collaboration with Tourism East Flanders) which is good for 9 km. Parking and starting in Meersstraat near the town hall or there is also a parking lot for long-term parking in Palepelstraat (just follow the signs). The route is marked with red rectangles but could use some maintenance. Here and there, some rotting posts hanging against a tree or sometimes no signs in sight. Start in Meersstraat (on the map it says 'Village') just past the houses and take a left before a meadow.
You can read the article on 'Latemse Meersen' in the magazine NATUUR.BLAD edition 2017 (March/April/May)