On the border of Pajottenland and Flemish Ardennes

Ninove has been a border case for almost a thousand years. Today, this East Flemish city borders the Dender and the province of Flemish Brabant. During the ancien régime, that border position was even more pronounced. Eleven districts of Ninove belonged to the County of Flanders, but the district of Meerbeke was part of the Duchy of Brabant until the end of the 18th century. No less than three mottes or moated castle hills marked the border area of the County of Flanders with the Duchy of Brabant along the Dender. On this walk, you can enjoy both the city and nature. First, you visit Ninove, with the highlight being the remains of the former Premonstratensian abbey. You will also find many traces from the time of De Ferraris throughout the rest of the city. The second part of the walk goes through the valley of the Dender. From Ninove to Zandbergen, you follow the tragel, the towing path along the Dender. You return via quiet streets and dirt roads that run parallel to the Dender above the ridge on the right bank of the river.

At the pedestrian bridge in Pollare (C), you can take a shortcut via Pollare-Dorp to Pollare Molenveld. This cuts the distance nearly in half. You can find the shortened route here.