The best cycling routes in Moervaartdepressie

The wooden arch bridge over the Stekense Vaart, named after Frans Coppens, was receiver-clerk in the municipality of Sinaai for almost a quarter of a century. He played an important role in "de Groote Watering van Sinay", the name given to the project launched by the Boerenbond in 1926. This project was initiated after repeated floods and aimed to make the polders 'dry'. The construction of the pumping station near Hondsnest was one of the first achievements within this project. During the Second World War, the unemployed were employed to clean or widen ditches. Under the impetus of dike reeve Jozef "meester" Maes and... receiver-clerk Frans Coppens (!), major reclamation works were carried out in the 60s, continuing into the following decades. Thus, Hondsnest got a new pumping station in 1975. In the meantime, the watering area had been converted into a polder, pursuant to the polder law of June 3, 1957. source: info file "Polder Daknam-Sinaai"

The Sint-Annakerk is located in the Heirbrug district. This district originated from 1880 onwards, when workers' houses were built. In 1931, a parish was founded. Church services were temporarily held in a practice room at the school. Lack of money and economic stagnation, and later the Second World War, prevented the construction of a definitive church. The church was built in 1949-1950 according to the design of Adrien Bressers. It is striking that the tower is not integrated into the building, but was built next to it, on a square floor plan. Source: Wikipedia.

The pumping station at the Frans Coppens Bridge serves to pump excess water from the lower surrounding area into the canal.

It is well worth stopping on top of the bridge. The view from the Stekense Vaart looks like a landscape painting. The bridge is named after honorary citizen Frans Coppens from Klein-Sinaai. As receiver-clerk he made a great contribution in his career. The canal used to be an important connection between the Dutch Hulst and Ghent.

This bridge ensures that you can cross the Zuidlede dry-shod. Be aware that the road surface can be dangerously slippery in wet weather. Tip: cross this curved bridge with some caution.

The Langelede was dug to enable the transport of peat. The peat came from a bog area, owned by the abbey of Marquette. It is not clear when this happened, although it is known that the name 'langhe lee' first appeared in 1317. After the bog soils were exhausted, the Langelede fell into disuse. The revival came in 1775, when the Moervaart and Langelede were canalised to enable the drainage of excess water from Ghent. The route via the current Lange Boomstraat was replaced by a new section towards the Oudenburgse sluis. However, the treaty of 1839 limited the drainage to the Netherlands and the Langelede had to be dammed. Afterwards, it was still used for the transport of white sand and sugar beets. Source: municipality of Wachtebeke and Heemkundige Kring De Vierschaar

The Hefbrug is a silent witness to the important IJzerenweg over the waterway.

Formerly known as "Kasteel Van Geeterayen" (according to an old postcard) with associated park with ponds. Former country house built by doctor M. Van Geeteruyen from Lokeren as a replacement or as an extension of a house built in 1870 on the same site by notary Van Landeghem from Lokeren. Large villa in eclectic style remarkable for its monumental character, picturesque appearance and remarkable mixture of building characteristics derived from timber and half-timbered construction, art nouveau and traditional country house architecture. Source: Lanclus, Kathleen & Verbeeck, Mieke (1993)