De Panne: Forest, Dunes, Highlanders, and Belle Époque

Adventurous walk along the West Coast, where rugged nature, sea, and historical heritage come hand in hand. The journey feels like a small expedition through the most unspoiled dune massif of Flanders.

We depart from De Duinpanne, a visitor center that brings coastal nature to life. From there, we venture into the Calmeynbos, a tranquil green area filled with songbirds and shaded paths. This dune forest, laid out in the early 20th century, serves as the perfect, cool prelude for the rougher work that follows.

Then we head towards the impressive dune reserve De Westhoek – the oldest in Flanders. Here you walk between vast dunes and moist valleys. With a bit of luck, you may encounter large grazers (Highland cattle or Konik horses). But rest assured, they are robust yet harmless animals (as long as you keep a respectful distance of at least 25 m). They are used to keep the landscape open in an ecological way.
We also pass by an immense central dune (also known as the 'Sahara'). Climbing this moving sandplain is quite a sporty challenge, but the reward is great: you get a spectacular 360° view over the entire reserve, the sea, and the French border.

After crossing the dunes, we reach the coastline and the artwork Westerpunt, symbol of the far west of Belgium. This is the perfect place to pause and enjoy the panoramic view of the sea and a glance at the nearby French dune landscape.

Next, we enter the center of De Panne through the charming villa district Dumont. The district was designed by architect Albert Dumont during the Belle Époque period. The white villas with red roofs and wooden details tell the story of the coast as a chic seaside resort of yesteryear. From a high dune in the neighborhood, you get another beautiful view over De Panne and the sea.

Afterwards, we walk towards the market square, where cozy terraces invite you for a snack or drink. In La Grand-Place, you are immersed in the atmosphere of a Parisian brasserie. After a well-deserved break, we return tired but satisfied, via quiet back paths, to the visitor center De Duinpanne.