The best running trails around Sint-Niklaas

give gas on a narrow lane

The Stropersbos is located right on the Belgian-Dutch border and forms a whole with the Clingse Bossen, as the forest on the Dutch side of the border is called. The history of the forest dates back to the 13th century. This means that the forest has experienced wars, and from one of those wars, the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713), very clear traces can still be seen: there are still a number of remnants of the Line that served here in 1701. A little further north, there are also remains of Fort Sint-Jan (from which the Dutch municipality Sint-Jan-Steen derives its name). But even if you are not interested in that history, the Stropersbos is a special place, both for the tree and plant lover, the birdwatcher, the playing child, the boot-wearing walker who likes to trudge through mud, the bivouacker, ... and everyone who simply enjoys a walk. There is a good chance you will encounter wild horses, pass grazing sheep, or that - who knows, maybe you'll be as lucky as I was - roe deer or a fox will cross your path. In short: a very beautiful hiking area ...

The numbers of the border posts on the Belgian-Dutch border run upwards from border post number 1 at the Drielandenpunt in Vaals, to 369 near Retranchement. It's funny that neither the first nor the last post is actually on the border (the evolution of the Zwin is partly responsible for the last post). On almost all posts, the year 1843 is shown. Only in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen are there 7 border posts with a later year, which were placed after land reclamation. The posts are made of cast iron and weigh 372 kilograms. Each post is equipped with the Belgian Lion on the Belgian side and the Dutch Lion with sword and arrows on the other side. And each post has a number. The Belgian-Dutch border is 458 kilometers long. On average, the posts are therefore just over a kilometer apart. source: bestemmingbuitenlucht.nl/

Actually, it's not allowed in the Clingse Bossen: go off the path, roam through the forest and build huts. Because plants get damaged and animals get scared. But here you can! So come and splash around with water, climb a tree, put on your own show in the theatre or play hide-and-seek!". an information board challenges children to romp around here. "Feel free to bring your parents: just put them on a bench with a good book and they'll be no trouble at all!" it continues, almost in the style of Annie M.G. Schmidt ;-)

De Kouterwegel was the very first to win the Grage Weg Award, an initiative by the Province of Oost-Vlaanderen, which aims to reward inspiring slow roads that people not only use functionally, but which also invite an experience. De Kouterwegel is part of the Kaboutermolenpad, a special route that distinguishes itself through its pronounced experiential value, according to the award jury, an example of how slow roads can entice people to consciously choose a detour, purely for the sake of the experience. After all, a slow road is more than just a connection between two points. It is a place that stimulates one or more senses, that connects with the environment and that attracts users through its unique character. The Kaboutermolenpad - Kouterwegel succeeds in this, according to the jury, with flying colours. Along the path, playful gnome figures create wonder for young and old. Visitors can stop at a chapel that invites rest and connection, or enjoy a break at a nearby café. The unpaved path is simultaneously barrier-free and accessible to everyone, and is clearly signposted. The route winds through a varied and quiet landscape, where a rich palette of scents and colours constantly stimulates the senses. This is what can be read on pers.oost-vlaanderen.be... a recognisable report, but during my passage I thought: I hope that the prize money from the Grage Weg 2026 will be used to restore the gnome figures, which here and there are in considerable need of repair or beautification.

De Bezenkoek is nowadays mainly known as a hiking and cycling area. The name refers to a legendary inn that offered every customer a currant cake upon opening. That inn made way for a villa. Thanks to the wind during the last phase of the ice age, you will find a unique landscape here. This area lies on a ridge of windblown sand. This is a remnant from the late ice age (around 12,000 to 14,000 years ago) where sand from the Durme valley was blown up into a large dune. It is no coincidence that this area is forested. It is less fertile ground for agriculture, but suitable for forestry. It is also no coincidence that so many pines grow here. The wood was used for a long time for mining and for the production of matches. People especially wanted straight tree trunks. That is why they usually stand very close together. Nowadays, more native deciduous trees are systematically planted in the area. Parts of the area along the Ransbeek are often marshy. Therefore, 'knuppelpaden' (log paths): a path over logs, appeared in a number of places. source: ontdeksintniklaas.be

The Weduwe Voswegel, also called the Gouden Leeuwpad, is a surprisingly beautiful slow connecting path. The path is 1650 m long and runs zig-zag from Gouden Leeuwstraat to the church of Puivelde in Kruisstraat. The zig-zag pattern that characterizes the path has to do with the forest plots along it. The path mostly has a side ditch along its length and is bordered by meadows and especially forest. The path is quite well maintained. The path is only quite narrow in the forests (0.5 m to 1.5 m). On the side of Gouden Leeuwstraat you will find an old hedge with no less than 14 different types of hedge plants. (Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Beech, Holly, Elder, Elderberry, Hop, Blackberry, Pedunculate Oak, Privet, Ivy, Bindweed, Cotoneaster, Hazel) The name of the path is said to refer to a lady who tricked rich people to later give their possessions to the poor; a kind of local, female version of Robin Hood :-) source: De Raaklijn

On an information board on site, the history of the Stekense Vaart can be read. It began as early as 1315. Count Robrecht III of Béthune then gave the order to dig a canal from Ghent to Hulst. In Stekene, this new 'waterway' turned marshes into arable land and increased export opportunities. In 1556, many fields in Stekene were submerged for a long time. King Philip II of Spain therefore granted a charter for a direct connection to the Durme. In 1628, King Philip IV gave permission to extend the Stekense Vaart by 1300 meters to Hulst. This connected the Vaart to the Westerschelde, which was advantageous for trade. Hulst could thus also be supplied with war materials. South of Moerbeke, between 1637 and 1643, a new canal was dug connecting the Stekense Vaart with the Moervaart. Ships sailing between Ghent and Stekene no longer had to make a detour via the Spelonckvaart. After the Eighty Years' War ended in 1648, the connection with the Westerschelde was broken. The economic benefit of the Vaart was lost. The Vaart was dammed at Tromp in 1691. In 1853, the municipality of Stekene became the owner of the Vaart on the condition that it also be responsible for maintenance. In 1950, the Vaart was declared unnavigable. Wastewater from Sint-Niklaas caused pollution and a strong stench, here at the Quay. In 1953, a cross dam was built in the Durme in Lokeren. The tidal effect on the Stekense Vaart was thus a thing of the past. In 1964, a water treatment plant was commissioned in Sint-Niklaas. This significantly improved the water quality in the Stekense Vaart. In 1995, a water treatment plant was also built in Stekene. In 1998, the area around the Vaart was classified as a quiet area.