The best traffic-free bike rides around Lokeren

On Friday, April 5, 1867, the Spletterenbrug was officially opened. Between Moerbeke and Lokeren, trains stopped in Daknam and Eksaarde. In Moerbeke, travelers could transfer to railway line 77 towards Zelzate or towards Sint-Gillis-Waas. That the intention was to one day double the 9-kilometer railway line to two tracks is still visible on the Spletterenbrug. Both bridge abutments are indeed twice as wide as the bridge deck itself. It never came to that. On the contrary. The railway line suffered during both world wars, causing traffic to be suspended for months. For example, retreating German soldiers blew up the bridge at the end of World War I. Less than a year after the armistice, in September 1919, the line was already restored and trains could run on the route again. In 1940, the Belgian army, in turn, tried to slow down the German advance by destroying the bridge. The bridge was repaired again. In 1971, the last train chugged along the route. After more than a century of train traffic, the tracks were dismantled and the route was redeveloped as a cycling and walking path from Lokeren to Moerbeke. The Spletterenbrug itself was preserved and restored in 2017. The seven layers of paint were removed, and the bridge regained its original, dark gray color. Source: industriecultuur.be

Bovendurme? The naming of the different waters in the vicinity is sometimes quite confusing and requires an explanation: The Bovendurme is the part of the Durme located in the Ghent canals basin. The river begins at the confluence between the Zuidlede and the Moervaart near Daknam. It then flows further along Daknam and through the center of Lokeren, and flows into the Benedendurme near the Molsbroek. Previously, the Bovendurme and Benedendurme were one river called the Durme. But due to regular floods, a dam was built at the Molsbroek, which split the river into two parts. Because of this, the Benedendurme is often still called the "Durme", but the Bovendurme is mistakenly referred to as the Moervaart. Wikipedia

Daknambrug in Daknam, a sub-municipality of Lokeren. This charming swing bridge over the Durme is located at the site of a former ferry crossing on the old Lille-Tilburg highway. Such a ferry served as a bridge to transport people, livestock, horses, and vehicles. The current swing bridge has replaced a small wooden bridge since the 1930s. At that time, the Durme was straightened here between the confluence of the Zuidlede and Moervaart at Spletterenbrug and the bend near Middendam. In the summer, you can see the bridge keeper opening the bridge to let pleasure boats pass, sailing to or from Lokeren.

Opened on October 1, 2012, the Brug Ter Beuken provides a safe and green connection to the city center. It has since become a fixed landmark in the landscape: the beautiful red cycle and footbridge that spans the Durme at the end of Vijgenstraat. The bridge is 21m long. Source: axiradio.be

The Kalkensemeersen nature reserve is beautiful

Beautiful, long unpaved avenue, where you tunnel through the green foliage.

Slow your speed before, on and after the bridge. The pathway is narrow and shared with pedestrians.

Hagemeersen is one of the many nature reserves that we are setting up in the Durme Valley. The wet area is located on the edge of the city centre of Lokeren. It is a nice path next to the water. Know that it can be quite busy here. Moderate your speed and enjoy at your own pace.