Den Dotter Nature Reserve

Den Dotter is a beautiful, diverse nature reserve with wet and salt meadows and forests, through which the Molenbeek ("Mühlbach") meanders. In spring, the meadows turn a cheerful yellow thanks to countless marsh marigolds - hence the name.

But the area has its charm in every season, not least thanks to the two listed watermills, the Engelsmolen and the Gotegemmolen.

In Den Yolk you will find no less than 320 different plant species and countless animals. For example the barn owls that live in the pollarded willows. On the other hand, skylarks and linnets frolic in the fields. Oriole and tree falcon, on the other hand, have fun in the woods (not together, of course) and the yellow wagtail buzzes along the meandering stream at the water mills.

At the inn 'Cabaree' (Gotegemstraat), at the chapel behind cafe 'De Gouden Koterhaak' Oud Dorp Heldergem, and at 'tHof Schuurken' - Mere, there are signs with information about the walks that Natuurpunt has developed for the area. This contains the most beautiful parts of the area, including along Ter Erpenbeek, Holbeek and Vorsinckbeek.

Historical fact:
Den Dotter is located between two hamlets with a Frankish name: Brantegem and Gotegem. Brantegem refers to the home of the Branda family (branda+inga+hem). Gotegem or Guthinghem is the hometown of the Guti or Guta family. The name Guthingahem already appears in the charter of Sint-Baafs from the blessed year 966.Source: natuurpunt.be/natuurgebied/den-dotter