Between Kalken, Uitbergen and Schellebelle lies the area of the Kalkense Meersen. The landscape around these meadows has evolved significantly over the centuries.

Approximately 14,500 years ago, at the end of the last ice age, the original Scheldt carved wide trails into the landscape, often up to 1 km wide. As the sea level rose, the riverbed gradually filled in, forcing the river to find a new passage. This led to the formation of large bends that constantly shifted.

Later, sand dunes and forests emerged, causing the river to flow more slowly. Thus, the old riverbeds became filled with marsh plants, forming peat layers. These were mined as turf by the local inhabitants from the 17th century onwards. The pits that were dug filled with water and formed ponds, with the Donkmeer being the most famous example.

In the 13th century, the new course of the Scheldt was more or less fixed, until humans intervened again in the 19th century. The river was partially canalized to promote shipping. The old Scheldt arms were forgotten or were filled in.

But gradually, people became aware of their landscape value, and walkers and tourists found their way to these picturesque areas with rich fauna and flora. Today, you can find 165 km of walking paths in the area between the Kalkense Meersen and the Donkmeer, mostly interconnected via nodes.

A few words about the Sigma Plan, of which the meadows are a part. This plan was primarily developed to protect the surrounding area from flooding. To this end, parts of the bank were designated as controlled flood areas. In return, nature receives new wet areas, mudflats, and salt marshes.

DIRECTIONS

Start at Eetcafé de Pastorij, Kalkendorp 6, Kalken (Laarne). With your back to the entrance, turn right.

Follow the small square to the right (Nerenweg).

About 400 m further, just past the Kleine Molenstraat, take the narrow path to the left.

At the end of the path, turn left, cross the road, and after 25 m take the dead-end street to the right.

50 m further, you will reach the V1 monument (2).

You are now at the nodes and follow right towards KP16, which you will reach at the crossroad. Here, turn right and continue towards KP15 (turn left at the main road and after 300 m turn left again into the Kalkense Meersen).

At KP15, where the road turns left, go straight (dirt road) towards KP13 - then turn left towards KP14 and at the intersection go straight towards KP18. You are now at the Kalkense vaart: turn left and then right over the new footbridge and bike bridge (3) towards KP24, where you will turn left at the bend of the old Scheldt arm towards KP26.

At T (KP26), turn left towards KP25. Caution: after about 300 m, take the narrow path to the right through the Scherenmeersen (4), always heading towards KP25. 300 m past a tiny bridge, you will come to a crossroads of paths and leave the nodes, which go straight ahead. You take the path to the right, turn left and arrive at Hooistraat.

At the end of Hooistraat, cross the main road, turn briefly right and then take the narrow path to the left right next to café De Groene Meersen.

At the next road, turn briefly right and immediately turn left into Zandvleuge. Ignore a street on the left and go straight. About 30 m further, turn left onto a narrow path between the houses.

You will reach a square, where you go straight ahead (keeping the square to your right). At the end of the square, turn right and the first street to the left (Dam). You will enter Kalken Dorp. Go left to the church and then right behind the church. This will bring you back to the Pastorij.