Walking network De Blankaart

Tranquillity, water, expansive landscapes, wild birds… and regular pit stops; five ingredients for the perfect walk. And the De Blankaart hiking network has them all. This car-free, unpaved trail winds from Diksmuide through a flat polder landscape, taking in pretty Flemish villages, such as Sint-Jacobskapelle and Nieuwkapelle. It crosses the Yser via Knokkebrug, bringing you out onto the Ijzerbroeken, the river Yser’s flood plain. The vast water reservoir that was constructed in the lowest part of Merkembroek, Woumenbroek and the De Blankaart nature reserve is encircled by observation towers; strategic vantage points from which to marvel unseen at the many birds. The courtship flights of the marsh harrier are particularly impressive and you can regularly spot foraging spoonbills. The war still has a tangible presence; the towpath along the Ypres-Yser Canal takes you past hamlets, including Drie Grachten and Steenstrate, where the battles have been carved into memory.

This brochure also features 2 signposted loops that come highly recommended:

The Blankaart trail - 10 km - 5,5 km

The Drie Grachten trail - 6,2 km