ドンクメアのおすすめツーリングルート

The Kalkenvaart is a waterway between the village of Kalken and the Scheldt River. It runs through the Kalkense Meersen nature reserve and is very popular with anglers, hikers, and cyclists. A wide cycle and walking path runs alongside the canal. Since its dredging in 2022, the Kalkense Vaart has been very clean. You can cross the canal via the Roerdompbrug (Broedomp Bridge) and/or watch for fish swimming by.

A double-headed eagle, installed in 1548, adorns the tower as a symbol of power and vigilance. Inside is a complete carillon of 49 bells, cast by bell founder Sergeys from Leuven. This carillon plays automatically every fifteen minutes and is also played manually during concerts.

Not yet listed as an architectural gem: Het Gulden Hoofd (The Golden Head): A 17th-century facade, now a restaurant and a protected monument. The photos show the wide building "Barley's" with its passageway. The square is the setting for the Ros Beiaardommegang (Carillon Procession) and the Katuit Giants' Procession, both iconic Dendermonde traditions.

The children's statue at the Bogaerd Bridge, officially titled "Dancing Children," is a bronze sculpture by Dendermonde artist Jos De Decker (1912–2000). The statue depicts a girl and two boys holding hands, dancing exuberantly. The children are depicted lively and playfully, giving the statue a sense of joy and innocence. What makes this statue special is the context in which it was erected in 1997: in the aftermath of the Dutroux affair. Instead of focusing on the horror, the choice was made to emphasize the innocence of the victims. The statue was donated by Rotary Dendermonde and was installed at the former Bogaerddam. After the construction of the new Bogaerd Bridge, it was reinstalled in 2015 at the foot of the bridge, in the cobbled area along Kasteelstraat.

The Paardeweide in Berlare is a vast nature reserve along the Scheldt River, part of the Sigma Plan and managed by the non-profit organization Durme. Once a polder with pastures and fields, it has been transformed into a dynamic landscape of wet grasslands, reed beds, open water, and alder swamp forests. As a flood control area (GOG), Paardeweide temporarily captures Scheldt water during high water levels, which not only contributes to water safety but also creates a rich habitat for birds, fish, amphibians, and plants.

The Paardeweide in Berlare is a vast nature reserve along the Scheldt River, part of the Sigma Plan and managed by the non-profit organization Durme. Once a polder with pastures and fields, it has been transformed into a dynamic landscape of wet grasslands, reed beds, open water, and alder swamp forests. As a flood control area (GOG), Paardeweide temporarily captures Scheldt water during high water levels, which not only contributes to water safety but also creates a rich habitat for birds, fish, amphibians, and plants.

I didn't immediately see a tractor lock, but the road is reserved for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Butterfly Garden at Donkmeer in Berlare is a subtle yet valuable tribute to biodiversity. Unlike tropical butterfly cages, this garden is an open, natural space that, with a few targeted interventions, has been transformed into a true butterfly paradise. Here, numerous native butterfly species flutter freely among colorful flowers and nectar plants, which provide not only food but also shelter.