11/11/2020
A beach walk with an extension into the Groese polders. From the (free from 1/11 to 31/3) parking Puur (Cletemspolder, 300 meters past beach campsite Groede towards Nieuwvliet along the Zeeweg) we head towards the sea and cross the walking and cycling path, arriving at a lookout platform via the stairs on top of the dike. Enjoy the view for a moment and then take the concrete strip that descends to the beach; we cross the loose sand up to the waterline to make walking easier. We follow the waterline until just past a first aid pavilion and leave the beach just before the pavilion 'De Strandganger'. Those who prefer to walk on the dike path instead of the sand will also rejoin the route at the pavilion Strandganger. We then head to the nature reserve at the mouth of the Westerschelde 'Verdronken Zwarte Polder'. The name comes from a dike breach in 1802 when the Black polder 'drowned'. Here we follow yellow arrows (at one split without an arrow just keep left) along a winding path and over boardwalks. We then enter the Groese polders with a view of the creeks and dunes that have grown into a bird-rich area. There is also a section reserved as a play polder. The walk was plotted with junction points, but during the walk, it became clear that something was off with the numbering. The wifi signal (at least for me) sometimes dropped, forcing me to follow the route on paper. Here are the numbers 93/37/24/23/25/26/35/36/17/18/74/93. One enters between 74 and 93, but 93 and 37 are not seen along the beach walk, we arrive at 24 at the 'Verdronken Zwarte Polder'; the issue lies at junction 25 to get to 26. The route can also be shortened by a couple of km if one goes left at junction 17 over the bridge towards junction 93 (take the left split over the bridge, not the clear path to the right). During the preparation of the walk, we were able to spot seals along the coastline, early in the morning.