This walking route takes you through the Welle and Kapellemeersen one of the last natural flood areas of the Dender valley. This nature reserve in the Dender region is one of the best-preserved natural gems in the Scheldeland.
Distance: 12 km.
Time: 3h00.
Grade: Moderate.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: No.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: Flat.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: White hexagon with green inscription.
Hiking shoes recommended.
Kapellemeersen.
The approximately 350 ha nature reserve of the Welle and Kapellemeersen is located on both sides of the Dender, between the village centers of Erembodegem and Denderleeuw. With a fauna and flora of more than 1000 different animal and 1400 different plant species, it is one of the best-preserved natural pearls in Scheldeland. At the same time, it is one of the last natural floodplains in the Dender Valley. The area has a huge variety of fauna and flora. Just about everything is covered: from high to low, from wet to dry, embankments, ponds, hay meadows, flooded alder trousers, poplar plantations and spring areas.
Well marked.
Boardwalks have been laid out in the swampy areas, but it is still advisable to put on sturdy and waterproof footwear.
POI 1 & 3 - Welle and Kapellemeersen.
One of the best preserved natural gems of the Dender is hidden between the village centers of Denderleeuw and Erembodegem, the E40 and numerous railway lines. The Dender formed a wide alluvial plain in this area. When this river was still a stream and was not controlled by locks, the surrounding plains often flooded. Reed lands, sedge fields, alder-elm forests, dotter grasslands and meadowsweet are typical for this nature reserve. Interesting vegetations can be found in the lost sand extraction pits. The area has a bird-watching hut overlooking a meadow and a bat cellar.
Natuurpunt.
www.natuurpunt.be.
POI 2 - Sint-Amandus chapel.
In the Sint-Amandus street in Erembodegem you walk past the beautifully restored and protected Sint-Amandus chapel, the oldest in the region. Since the 14th century, the patron Saint Amandus has been invoked here against eye and worm diseases. To heal, the sick person had to dab his eyes with water from the Saint Amandus well for 9 days in a row.
No extra information.
