Dam Valley circular walk

The Damvallei is perhaps the most beautiful nature reserve around Ghent. Unfortunately, it is located right in the middle of the interchange of the E17 and R4, but thanks to NatuurPunt, nature is experiencing a revival. This walk takes you along many beautiful lakes and ponds, through marshes, rich hay meadows, and over boardwalks. You might need earplugs because the noise from the highways is never far away, but you will enjoy it in any case. The route partially follows the red-marked trail of NatuurPunt.

The Damvallei was formed along an old, silted-up curve of the Scheldt River. After the Flemish forests were felled in the Middle Ages, there was no longer enough firewood, and people began to exploit the peat. This enriched the landscape with dozens of peat pits that still offer added value for nature today. In the 1960s, despite ongoing protests, an interchange of crossing highways was built right in the area. This was a heavy blow for nature, but since 1995, Natuurpunt has successfully revitalized the area. With great success and beautiful results! The Damvallei is included in the Natura 2000 network of important European nature areas and has been revalued as a Habitat Directive area.