Attractions and Places To See around Kalkense Meersen - Top 20

The Kalkense Meersen is an expansive floodplain landscape characterized by its wet, flower-rich grasslands, intricate network of ditches, and iconic pollarded willows. It's a biodiversity hotspot, serving as a vital breeding and wintering ground for numerous bird species like the Black-tailed Godwit, Spoonbill, and Kingfisher. You can also find various amphibians and fish species. Keep an eye out for the distinctive Galloway cattle, which are used for nature management in the area.

Yes, there are several excellent spots for panoramic views and wildlife observation. An observation platform is located at the crossroads of Tragelweg and Blokstraat. Additionally, near the Roerdompbrug (Bittern Bridge), you'll find an observation tower on the Old Scheldt, offering great opportunities to view waterfowl. The Ring dike also provides beautiful views over the landscape.

The Kalkense Meersen boasts an extensive network of walking and cycling paths, offering up to 165 km of trails. You can explore various marked routes, including the 'Meandering Old Scheldt' loops and the 'Molenmeersen – V1 Monument 1944 loop'. For more specific routes, you can find detailed guides for hiking, cycling, and even gravel biking in the area.

Absolutely! Many attractions in the area are family-friendly. The extensive network of walking and cycling paths is suitable for all ages. You can also visit the Meandering Old Scheldt for bird watching, or explore the Kalkenvaart, which is popular with hikers and cyclists. The Eendenkooi (Duck Decoy) near the Donkmeer is an open-air museum where families can observe various water birds.

Beyond its natural beauty, the area offers unique cultural insights. You can visit the 'Riekend Rustpunt' (Smelly Rest Stop) at the Sluis, described as the smallest museum in Flanders, which delves into Berlare's historical economic reliance on manure. There's also the V1 Monument 1944, part of a hiking loop originating from Kalken, offering a blend of nature and historical reflection. The Kalkenvaart itself has a rich history as a transport waterway.

The Kalkense Meersen offers beauty year-round. Spring and autumn are particularly good for bird watching due to migration periods. The wet, flower-rich grasslands are vibrant in spring and summer. The area's unique floodplain landscape and extensive trails can be enjoyed in all seasons, offering different natural experiences.

A convenient way to explore the Meersen is by using the free ferry service at Schellebelle ('t Veer). This ferry transports visitors across the Scheldt directly into the nature reserve, making it a popular starting point for many explorations.

The Ring dike is part of the Sigmaplan, a flood protection initiative. It creates a controlled flood area designed to absorb large amounts of water during high water levels in the Scheldt. This helps protect the surrounding region from flooding while also creating new wetlands full of diversity within the dikes.

Visitors frequently highlight the profound sense of peace and tranquility found here. They appreciate the vast, open landscapes, the abundance of birds, and the unique interplay of land and water. Many describe it as a 'masterly spectacle of rushing wind, wonderful silence, and flushing water,' offering a fantastic escape into nature.

Yes, the Kalkense Meersen is renowned for bird watching. The Meandering Old Scheldt is ideal for this, especially with its lookout tower. The Wijmeers Ontpoldering area, connected to the Scheldt, is also excellent for observing migrating wader birds during specific periods.

The Kalkenvaart is a historic waterway connecting the village of Kalken to the Scheldt River. Originally dug in the mid-16th century for transport and water management, it now runs through the Kalkense Meersen nature reserve. Today, it's a clean watercourse popular with anglers, hikers, and cyclists, with a wide path running alongside it.