ブランケンベルヘの天然記念物・トップ15

The Zandpanne Nature Reserve is a valuable dune area between Wenduine and De Haan, known for its variety of dune forests, open dunes and moist dune valleys.

On the coast's second-highest dune (31 m) stands a small white pavilion with a red roof: the Spioenkop. It offers a magnificent panorama of the polder landscape beyond, the wooded surroundings, and the coastal plain. At the foot of the dune lies the Rotonde, the place to be for sunbathers, anglers, pétanque players, and children.

The name suggests it: duck decoys were built to catch wild ducks for consumption. A duck decoy is a pond surrounded by a ‘decoy forest’ and long catch pipes in every corner. The catch was a combination of tame barn ducks and a brown decoy dog (which looked like a fox because of its colour). The decoy man chased the ducks to the end of the catch pipe, where they were caught in nets. Although there are many duck decoys in the Netherlands, this is indeed a Flemish invention. The duck decoy in Meetkerke (from the 16th century) is one of the few remaining examples. Of course, the duck decoy is no longer used for hunting. One of the catch pipes was recently completely restored, a special piece of history restored to its former glory! The duck decoy of Meetkerke is located in a beautiful part of the Flemish nature reserve: the Meetkerkse Moeren. You can easily find the hidden spot via the Meetkerkse Moeren walking route!

The Dune Forests of De Haan are one of the green pearls on the coast. The area consists of three parts and is 152 hectares in size. From west to east, these are the Dune Forests of Klemskerke, Vlissegem and Wenduine. The nature reserves De Zandpanne and De Kijkuit are connected to this, both managed by Natuurpunt. This creates a large and varied dune area with forest, dune scrub and dune grasslands.

The viewing point is easily accessible via a paved path. It offers a magnificent panoramic view of the coastal landscape.

Parallel cycle path with the Dune Forests on one side and holiday homes 2.0 and beautiful old villas in Anglo-Norman style on the other side.

For my taste, the cycle path in this area is much too narrow.

Beautiful walk, easy to do through nature protected from the wind. Took the train to Blankenberge and from De Haan the tram to Ostend