25/02/2021

A walk predominantly through the domain forest Berlare Broek with its wet, peaty subsoil where the water level is controlled by the pumping station Turfput that drains excess water. At junction 22, one can briefly leave the route to take a look inside the walls of the castle park of Berlare. A piece of nature reserve 'T Stampkot, is a sub-area of 'De Heidemeersen' and via the 'Riekend Rustpunt', the smallest museum in East Flanders about manure transport from the city to the countryside from the 17th to mid-20th century, we head towards Donkmeer. Between junction 18 and 16, you can avoid the towpath and walk on unpaved paths below the dyke (you go left diagonally down and then right to the bend where the bank rises again. You can see the direction sign of 'Riekend Rustpunt'). Parking is available in Sparrendreef or Kapelleplein at the Bareldonkkapel or Our Lady of Seven Sorrows with accompanying procession and Calvary Hill, nice to explore around the chapel after the walk. The walk starts at junction 8 at the corner of Kapelleplein and Sparrendreef.