Top 20 Natural Monuments around Sint-Lievens-Houtem

Kijktoren Schellebelle; a viewing platform at the intersection of Tragelweg and Blokstraat offers you a unique view of the Kalkense Meersen. At this point, the Tragelpad with the old Scheldearm meets the Blokstraat, forming the nerve center of the recreational routes.

The viewing platform, strategically located at the intersection of the four municipalities that form the Kalkense Meersen, not only offers stunning views of the green landscape and the old Scheldt arm, but also allows visitors to observe the landscape's evolution over the years. According to Michaël Crapoen of Natuurpunt Scheldeland, the platform is a real asset because it offers the opportunity to experience nature from a different perspective. In addition, numerous recreational cycling and walking routes converge here. (Scheldt Valley National Park)

Nice addition to the area, but actually a bit too low to view the entire area

The Aelmoeseneiebos (or Aalmoezenijebos) is a nature reserve on the territory of the municipalities of Melle (Gontrode) and Oosterzele (Landskouter). The forest is 28.5 hectares in size and is owned by the University of Ghent. The forest area is now managed by the university Lab for Forest & Nature. The railway line Ghent-Geraardsbergen divides the forest in two. The Aelmoeseneiebos is an old forest area that already appeared on the Ferraris map in 1775. The forest was owned by the Saint Bavo's Abbey of Ghent for centuries. During the French period (1794-1815) it was transferred to the public poor relief of the city of Ghent. In 1967-1968 the Belgian State bought the forest so that the University of Ghent could use it as a test forest. The most important tree species are summer oak and beech, with ash and maple in the stream valleys. The Aelmoeseneiebos is known for its spring flora such as wood anemone, slender primrose, yellow dead-nettle and small periwinkle. During the First World War, the forest was largely cut down but replanted in 1920. Adjacent to the western part of the Aelmoeseneiebos, 10 hectares of plots of land belonging to Natuurpunt, Oosterzele department, are located in the valley of the Gondebeek. With the 'Rodeland landscape project' [1], the aim is to connect the Aelmoeseneiebos with the Makegemse forests through afforestation in the valleys of the Gondebeek, Kerkesbeek and Driesbeek[2][3]. In 2021, 5 amphibian tunnels were constructed in the Gondebeek valley[4]. Inventories and research in the Aelmoeseneiebos found 1329 different species: including 64 tree and shrub species and 599 species of invertebrates. The Aelmoeseneiebos is protected in Europe as part of the Natura 2000 area (habitat directive area) 'Forests of the south-east of the Zandleemstreek' (BE2300044). The forest is freely accessible on the footpaths.

Text on the photo: We with all our freedom Often get lost Also pass by Destructive choices We with so much freedom Digging holes in the earth Comets approaching at lightning speed

New viewing platform nature point is a tribute to Groene Lieve: “A monument in the nature conservation of the Kalkense Meersen” The platform that looks out 6.5 meters high above the Nature Reserve is also in a symbolic place. “As a young kid I still remember well that Lieve’s red and small Fiat was always parked at this place on the Blokstraat while she was clearing litter, handing out leaflets to hikers and reprimanding farmers. Always busy for nature”, says Peter Claus. The platform is located at a nerve point in the Kalkense Meersen close to the new Roerdompbrug and offers hikers a unique view of the Oude Schelde. That arm was dug out again a few years ago. Since then beavers have been living there again and from the platform you can spot deer and other animals and birds. “It offers a view of the past and the future of our National Park.”

The peace of nature

This nature reserve is a remnant of an extensive forest area that gradually had to make way for agriculture in the 18th century. The surrounding land and the forest were owned for centuries by the Aalmoezenij, the poor relief of the Ghent Saint Bavo's Abbey. The production of wood was the main function at that time. The forest was purchased by the Belgian state in 1967-1968 so that the University of Ghent could use it as a test forest. In the early years, it was mainly used for studies on the growth and management of forests with a view to wood production. It also had a recreational and educational function. Railway line 122 Melle-Geraardsbergen divides the forest in two. In the western part (where we walked) an arboretum was created in 1973. With the 'Rodeland landscape project', the aim is to connect the Aelmoeseneiebos with the Makegemse forests through further afforestation of a number of stream valleys.