The Zuidleie valley is located south of Bruges in the municipalities of Oostkamp and Beernem. The Ghent-Bruges canal, one of the oldest in the country, was dug in this valley as early as the 13th century.
The nature reserve consists of four sub-areas: On the one hand, the Warandeputten with an area of ten hectares. Here you can discover flowering meadows, swamps, ponds and ponds with feathered residents. Thanks to observation huts and walls, you won't disturb the birds while observing either! Don't be surprised: the hairy Galloway cattle are natural lawn mowers and provide structure and species-rich vegetation.
Then there is the Leiemeersen with twelve hectares: the unique low moor with wet meadows, wet ruins, reed belts, swamp forest and open water will inspire you! In the centre: an 800 meter long old meander of the river Zuidleie.
The other two areas each cover eight hectares. There is the old meander of the Zuidleie, called Leiemeersen-Noord, with wet and dry flower meadows, where wild orchids also grow. The area adjoins the Beverhoutsveld, an agricultural area with a network of driveways, ditches and rows of pollarded willows.
Last but not least, the so-called Gevaerts are waiting for you. Here the canal cuts through a higher, sandy area with high, barren canal banks and adjacent heath-like grassland areas. You will definitely notice the lush flowering broom and gorse bushes or the vegetation with English oak, birch, willow and elm. We hope you enjoy discovering it!