Oostduinkerke-Nieuwpoort-Koksijde polder loop (21,1km)

This Oostduinkerke-Nieuwpoort-Koksijde polder loop is 21.1 km long (exactly half a marathon length, suitable for distance runners and cyclists), and runs in a large loop around the polder village of Ramskapelle. In the surrounding polders, various historical locations, beautiful viewpoints and rural panoramas are discussed. Low traffic and 99% easy to cycle.

The start is at the Crossroads Polderstraat-Victorlaan-Kinderlaan (Sunparks), and it ends in the Polderstraat at the main entrance of the SunParks domain (exactly 21.1km long loop). If you continue to your starting point, you will have covered an extra 300m.

At the intersection Kinderlaan-Victorlaan take direction Nieuwpoort marina. After 500m turn right onto the first field road (Lenspolder). In the beginning still paved, but the farmer ploughs the last 100m to the stream to follow (turn left towards nieuwpoort buildings). This is the only part of the entire loop that is difficult to cycle (for mountain bikers a dream location through the clay polders).
We continue to follow this collection stream along the buildings until almost the N34 along the fish market. Behind the sports fields on the right you will come across the free Sportpad that you take to the end. A little further there is a weir on the right (Oude Veurnsevaart). This is the old track bed of railway line 74 Nieuwpoort-Diksmuide (http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoorlijn_74 ).
This railway bed was demolished in 1977 and opened as a walking and cycling route. At the end of the Sportpad we join the Oude Veurnsevaart (left, then right) which you follow on your left (We leave the arch in the route of the railway line 74 because it is nicer to stay on the Vaart. A little further you take the pedestrian bridge on the left over the canal (Coupegorgebrug), with which we connect back to the Railway line 74.

Then cross the busy Astridlaan, and we arrive at the official start of the 'Frontzate': From here the railway bed runs in a straight line through the polders to Diksmuide
Because of its great historical importance in the First World War (it served as a dam to stop the overflowing Iron water on the east side to form a natural barrier against the German tanks), this path was named Frontzate (http://www.fietstoeren.be/Archief/KUST/Frontzate/Frontzate.htm).

A little further we cross the Nieuwpoort-Dunkirk canal for the first time on the old Bailey railway bridge. Many historical relics are encountered on this path (see also the POIs).

On this Frontzate we cross two small watercourses (Raamskapelleleed and Kleine Beverdijkvaart).

Then turn left (Booitshoekestraat which becomes Pervijsestraat). Here we cross three watercourses (kleine Reigersvleit, Oude Avaart and the Proostdijkvaart) past an old high-tension cabin. A little further the road splits, we take right and cross the highway (E40).

Then left (Booitshoekestraat) until the next T. Then left, through Wulpen, and over the Florizone bridge (another crossing over the Nieuwpoort-Dunkirk Canal). Here too there are several beautiful places in the polders (see POIs). We follow this canal for a while (turn right, follow the Conterdijk in a northeasterly direction) after which you cross the water Langeleed to the left of your oveer. Follow this Hof Ter Hillestraat until the end.
On your left a new golf course rises (Golf Ter Hille Koksijde) which gives you beautiful views over short-cut grass dunes and large lakes.

At the T (Nieuwpoortsesteenweg) turn right, then immediately left. 100m further the built-up area of Koksijde starts, where we take a right just before the Oostvoorduinen. Keep right in these dunes without returning to the Nieuwpoortsesteenweg. We arrive at the northeasternmost street on the Oostvoorduinen, which we follow in a northerly direction (keep right). At the T on the right (Polderstraat), and a little further you arrive at your starting point.

You finished the 21.1km at the crossroads where you left.