Drowned Land of Saeftinghe and Hoek of Ossenisse

Varied cycling tour on selected quiet roads: the riverside path directly along the Western Scheldt, where no motorized traffic is allowed, and many other small asphalted paths where there is very little traffic. There’s also the old railway track between Hulst and Sint-Niklaas, where only cyclists and pedestrians are permitted. Upon arriving at the Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe in Emmadorp, a visit to the authentic café "Het Verdronken Land" is highly recommended: a unique living room café that is based on the past and full of nostalgia for the first half of the last century. The incredibly welcoming guest area and side rooms are filled with old photos, posters, and advertising signs from the last 60 to 100 years. The counter also serves as a confectionery shop. After this delightful stop, we ride a bit up the dike to admire the Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe, one of the largest and most beautiful mudflats in Europe. In the past fifty years, it has become a point of attraction for large numbers of nature lovers. After Paal, we stay along the Scheldt bank; the path is paved in parts, but between km 33 and km 34, there is again a stretch of unpaved path along the Western Scheldt bank up to Baalhoek. From here, the riverside path is paved, and it remains advisable to always ride the sections of the route, where the dike is followed, from the riverside, with the beautiful view of the sparkling water and the large ocean ships. From Terneuzen, we take quiet roads over Axel to the medieval fortified town of Hulst, also known as the most Flemish town in the Netherlands. Life pulses here, and a cozy atmosphere can always be experienced on one of the many terraces. This cycling tour has no dedicated signage.