The Damse Vaart is a canal between Bruges and Sluis that was excavated by order of Napoleon. This canal was supposed to make the strategic connection to the Scheldt. At the end of his regime, the voyage was not completed until Hoeke. The last stretch to Sluis was only completed in 1856. There was (local) shipping between Bruges and Sluis until 1940 when the Siphons near Oostkerke were blown up. Now the canal is used for recreational purposes (boats, pedalos,...).

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Stephan N

June 12, 2025

Hiking

The Damse Vaart is a 15 km long canal in northern Belgium that connects Bruges to the Dutch border at Sluis. The canal was commissioned by Napoleon in 1810. It was originally intended to extend to the mouth of the Scheldt (Westerschelde), thus giving Bruges direct access to the North Sea. However, after Napoleon's defeat, the work was never completed.

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1. Sluis Ramparts – Outer Ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

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Easy

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2. Sluis Ramparts – Outer Ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

8.00km

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Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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3. The Zwin Nature Reserve – Sluis Ramparts loop from Sluis

24.0km

06:03

30m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

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Elevation 50 m

Weather

Sunday 22 March

14°C

4°C

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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Location: Sluis, Zeeland, Netherlands

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Damse Vaart

1. Sluis Ramparts – Outer Ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

2. Sluis Ramparts – Outer Ramparts of Sluis loop from Sluis

3. The Zwin Nature Reserve – Sluis Ramparts loop from Sluis

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