Peat Pits of Berlare Broek

During the end of the last ice age, the Scheldt between Ghent and Dendermonde left behind various fossil meander bends, such as those of Overmere-Donk and the Dam valley in Laarne. About 10,000 years ago, the Overmere meander was cut off. It took thousands of years for the meander to be completely filled by silting processes, after which peat formation took place.

The thick layer of peat remained virtually untouched until the second half of the 17th century. Only then did peat begin to be extracted. As part of this peat extraction, the eastern part of the old Scheldt meander was excavated again, transforming the area into a large water surface. It was only finally drained at the beginning of the last century. The vacated land was planted with willows for basket weaving. After the Second World War, poplars were planted for the production of matches. Today, these poplars are gradually being replaced by native tree and shrub species as part of current forest management.

A beautiful piece of nature for walking. Alternation between ponds and forests.

More peat pits can be found in Berlare Broek, an elongated strip of six kilometers along the historic Scheldemeander, which also includes the Donkmeer. Most of the area consists of forest with swampy areas and more than fifty ponds in between. A few years ago, a heavy storm raged through the forest. You can see that especially well in winter. Many trees lost their crown.