The best city hikes and walks in Daknamse Meersen

The ter Beuken city park originally started as a landscaped garden around Villa ter Beuken. Every two years, it is transformed into a Temporary Centre for Spatial Art. Since 1981, the city, in collaboration with the Municipal Commission for Artistic Heritage, has been organizing open-air exhibitions there. And... yes, there are a few level differences in the park, which make the park extra attractive for both walkers and mountain bikers. Source: lokeren.be

From March 20, 2026, to January 3, 2027, the Lokers Stadmuseum will host the exhibition "Gebeiteld", dedicated to the work of Lokerse sculptor Roger Bracke (1913-1993), who, besides this Peace Monument, also created the "Girl by the Water" on Durmelaan in the city center. Source: lokeren.be

From March 20, 2026, to January 3, 2027, the Lokeren City Museum will host the exhibition "Gebeiteld" (Chiseled), dedicated to the work of the Lokerse sculptor Roger Bracke (1913-1993), who, besides this "Girl by the Water", also created the Peace Monument in front of the station. Source: lokeren.be

The former post office building on the corner of Durmelaan and Markt dates from 1906 and is therefore 120 years old. In early 2019, it was purchased by the city. The appearance of this building is very significant: it is, after all, one of the four landmarks present on each corner of the Markt, namely the town hall, the Saint Lawrence Church, the city museum, and thus the post office building. The fact that it is a protected monument and part of the protected cityscape makes it not obvious for a private developer to find a suitable destination, but the city council did see opportunities here. The building has stood empty in recent years, but - after the first essential repairs to the roof (2020) - the city began thorough renovation works in 2023 (obviously without changing anything to the facade). Both the Tourism and Events department and the City Archives will find accommodation here. In addition to these two departments, the former post office building also provides space for the municipal council, ceremonial occasions, and meetings. Source: lokeren.be

Since August 2025, Ravello, an ice cream parlor, has been located here. It is run by the couple who have been running the pop-up cocktail bar 'Bar Botanique' for several years during the Lokerse feesten in a nearby building on Prosper Thuysbaertlaan.

Het Brughuis, the official residence of "de brugdraaier" (the bridge operator), the official who operated the then swing bridge over the Durme, was built in 1909 in the neo-Flemish Renaissance style typical of the time, designed by Lokeren architect Henri Vanden Broucke. Source: Facade stone above the building's door

In the middle of the green of Lokeren I discovered this charming little book house. A place where hikers can take or leave a book, and where the love for stories is palpable. So beautiful how nature and culture come together here: take a break, browse through a book, and continue walking with new inspiration. Small encounters like this make a trip really special!

Storks are migratory birds. At the end of summer, they head south, even as far as West Africa. But some birds stay here. They are fed by humans, or lose their instinct to migrate. In De Buylaers, you can see both migratory birds and wintering birds. Every year, a battle for the nest ensues. This 9-meter-high nesting pole was installed in January 2014. A metal structure sits atop the pole, allowing storks to build a nest. For several years now, storks have been regular visitors to the De Buylaers nature reserve. In 2013, a breeding attempt was made for the first time on the chimney of a house on Rozenstraat, right next to the reserve. Unfortunately, the brood failed, and no chicks were raised. Because the birds are very loyal to their breeding grounds, the non-profit organization Durme installed a nesting pole. And with success! Since then, additions have been made to the nest every year. Old nests can weigh up to 2 tons! Source: information board on site