The flowery wet meadows of the Latemse Meersen are a feast for the eyes. The walk starts in the painter's municipality of Sint-Martens-Latem and goes through the meersen and along the Leie. Nature at its best.
Distance: 8 km.
Time: 2h00.
Grade: Easy.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: No.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: Flat.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: Red - white diamond.
Hiking shoes recommended.
Herdwick sheep.
Just after the start you walk on a narrow path along an old poplar plantation. You will find a lot of dead wood there. Only snakes and crocodiles are missing to be a true mangrove. Fortunately, you only hear shouting forest reed warblers and the little spotted woodpecker. For decades, the path was the link between Latem village and the bleaching factory on the banks of the Leie. Flax yarn was bleached in the factory until 2008. The now dilapidated buildings are slowly taken up by nature. The area along the Leie is also characterized by the many avenues with gnarled pollard willows, which lead to the wet meadows, the meersen. An ideal habitat for roe deer and many bird species. Many artists have captured the landscape and agricultural scenes on canvas. The wealthy bourgeoisie wanted to live in this picturesque landscape and when the path leads along the banks of the Leie, you can see many large villas on the other side, the gardens of which extend to the water's edge. The landscape has also been officially protected since 1996.
Well marked.
Some paths can be soggy.
POI 1 - Latemse Meersen.
The wet hay and pastures of the Latemse Meersen form a real floral splendor in spring: you can admire the buttercup flower, broad orchid, rattle and real cuckoo flower. The meersen are the favorite terrain of predators such as polecat, ermine, stone marten and fox. Characteristic of this cool landscape are the historic elemeoten, bowl grounds in the center of the meersen with a dense medieval ditch network, interrupted by a fossil levee wall and bordered by a washed-out dune or dark like the Meersbeek. On the meersen is a herd of Herdwick sheep grazing from the English Lake District.
Natuurpunt.
www.natuurpunt.be.
POI 2 - Baarle ferry.
The ferry in the Baarle-Frankrijkstraat has traditionally been an important means of transport to cross the Leie. Before the First World War, the so-called Baarleveer was a few hundred meters downstream. Traditionally, this has been a vital point of transfer for people, funeral processions, postal services and medical assistance. Large and small livestock also sailed from the Sint-Martens-Latem countryside to the city of Ghent. The painters from the region were regularly on site: the place was used on various canvases by, among others, Maurice Sys and Alfons Dessenis. For those who want to go to the other side: one tap against the bronze clock and the ferryman arrives.
No additional information.
