The best traffic-free bike rides around Kloosterbos

Well-maintained cycle path, pay attention at crossings, no right of way

The Langelede was probably originally a tributary of the Durme, which was canalized as early as the early Middle Ages during the exploitation of the peat bogs. The Langelede was already mentioned in documents from the 14th century. It leads from the Moervaart (to the south) to the hamlet of Oudeburgse Sluis on the border with the Netherlands (to the north). In 1775 it was straightened with renewed bridge construction and a lock at the border with the Netherlands (the former so-called Sint-Eloyssluis, later Oudeburgse sluis). source: Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed

From 1867 to 2008 (!) a railway line ran here, between Moerbeke and Rostijne (in Zelzate), which was once part of line 77 from Sint-Gillis-Waas to Zelzate. The stretch between the Moerbeke sugar factory and Zelzate lasted the longest. From 1980 onwards, the dismantled parts of that railway line were converted into an asphalted walking and cycling path (one of the first of its kind). Here and there, references to that railway past were preserved or built, like here the bridge over the Langelede.

In the Middle Ages, the inhabitants of Wachtebeke had to travel to the Vierschaar of Assenede for legal proceedings, a very dangerous journey through a wooded area. In 1547, Emperor Charles gave the people of Ghent permission to dig the Sassevaart, the precursor to the current Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. Another obstacle on the journey to Assenede! Therefore, the inhabitants of Wachtebeke submitted a petition to Philip II, son of Emperor Charles. He gave his permission to establish a second Vierschaar here in the decree of July 14, 1579. The Vierschaar was presumably built between 1579 and 1610 during the Eighty Years' War. The stepped gable is a typical feature of the Renaissance style of that time. The coat of arms belongs to the Della Faille d'Assenede family, Lords of the Ambacht Assenede from 1649 onwards. The building served as a courthouse until the French Revolution, and was also called "the aldermen's house". The text under the statue of Saint Catherine was carved after the restoration following a severe fire in the 18th or 19th century. This is the oldest preserved civil building in the Meetjesland. source: information boards on site

Also very suitable as a hiking trail... On a weekday, there was certainly no bike or foot traffic that made it difficult for the two types of road users to share the path ;-)

beautiful bridge made of natural materials

Koewacht has two churches with the same name, Saint Philip and James Church: one (old) on Belgian territory and one (younger) on Dutch territory. This is about the Belgian church. In 1687, the chapel on Kruisstraat in Moerbeke was largely demolished and moved to Koewacht on the Dutch border. This chapel was demolished in 1713, followed by the laying of the foundation stone for the new church, part of the current place of worship, namely a hall church oriented to the south with a tower at the front, which was consecrated in 1714 by the Ghent bishop P. Van der Noot. The parish work was carried out by recollect fathers and also included the Dutch territory of Koewacht. In 1850, an extension of the church followed on the south side. Until 1914, the church also served the residents of Dutch Koewacht. In 1916, they obtained a wooden emergency church which was replaced in 1921 by a new church building (slightly further north, at the Kerkplein) with the same patron saints as the church on Belgian territory, which was recognized as a separate Belgian parish church in the same year and taken over by the diocese of Ghent. The church was deconsecrated in 2019. Parts of the interior, such as the baptismal font and the altar with relics, have been transferred to the church of the same name in the Dutch part of Koewacht.[2] Since then, the municipality of Moerbeke has used the church as a storage facility, pending a new purpose. source: Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed & Wikipedia

In the village of Wachtebeke, there is ample opportunity to park your car.