The best walks and hikes around Sint-Gillis-Waas

Experienced the same thing 😧

The Stropersbos is located right on the Belgian-Dutch border and forms a whole with the Clingse Bossen, as the forest on the Dutch side of the border is called. The history of the forest dates back to the 13th century. This means that the forest has experienced wars, and from one of those wars, the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713), very clear traces can still be seen: there are still a number of remnants of the Line that served here in 1701. A little further north, there are also remains of Fort Sint-Jan (from which the Dutch municipality Sint-Jan-Steen derives its name). But even if you are not interested in that history, the Stropersbos is a special place, both for the tree and plant lover, the birdwatcher, the playing child, the boot-wearing walker who likes to trudge through mud, the bivouacker, ... and everyone who simply enjoys a walk. There is a good chance you will encounter wild horses, pass grazing sheep, or that - who knows, maybe you'll be as lucky as I was - roe deer or a fox will cross your path. In short: a very beautiful hiking area ...

Folklore group De Klomp De Klinge vzw found the machines years ago in Haasdonk that were purchased in 1934 by the company Petrus and Paulus Van Duyse, one of the largest clog factories in De Klinge (Trompwegelstraat). A hollowing machine is used for hollowing out a clog, work that used to have to be done manually and took a lot of time. It is a Baudin machine (France), the best-known machines in the clog industry in Western Europe. The machine is made of cast iron (geut) and weighs half a ton. The use of machines could save a considerable amount on personnel costs. The left clog is scanned with a feeler, while a razor-sharp knife rotates at very high speed and copies the 'mold' on the right. Bottom right is an oil cup for the machine. source: information board on site

The smuggling trade thrived in De Klinge and its surroundings. This illegal cross-border trade went in both directions, with all sorts of products being smuggled to the Netherlands or Belgium. In the spring of 1915, the Germans attempted to put a stop to smuggling by constructing the "dodendraad" (death wire). An electric wire under high voltage was intended to deter smugglers. The high voltage on the "Dodendraad" meant that people were electrocuted upon the slightest contact. The inhabitants were not yet aware of the dangers of electricity during this period. For this reason, protective wires were placed on either side, made of barbed wire or chicken wire. The German occupiers wanted to prevent war volunteers, espionage messages, or smugglers from crossing the border with the border barrier. Inventive smugglers quickly found numerous ways to overcome the wire, yet hundreds of daredevils lost their lives during their crossing along the Belgian-Dutch border. At least three victims fell in De Klinge and Meerdonk. After the Second World War, the eternal cat-and-mouse game between customs officers and smugglers became grimmer. Butter smuggling became a lucrative business, and armored cars, "kraaienpoten" (crow's feet), and firearms made their appearance. The "kraaienpoot" was made of metal and had four points. There was always one sharp point facing upwards, intended to puncture the tires of customs service vehicles. Here, at the "Dodendraadmonument", lies an enlarged "kraaienpoot". The "dodendraad" was constructed in the summer of 1915; in November 2015, a section was reconstructed at the border post. On the site, in 2015, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the installation of the "dodendraad", a linden tree was planted, donated by the Koninklijke Oudheidkundige Kring van het Land van Waas. source: tracesofwar.nl

The numbers of the border posts on the Belgian-Dutch border run upwards from border post number 1 at the Drielandenpunt in Vaals, to 369 near Retranchement. It's funny that neither the first nor the last post is actually on the border (the evolution of the Zwin is partly responsible for the last post). On almost all posts, the year 1843 is shown. Only in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen are there 7 border posts with a later year, which were placed after land reclamation. The posts are made of cast iron and weigh 372 kilograms. Each post is equipped with the Belgian Lion on the Belgian side and the Dutch Lion with sword and arrows on the other side. And each post has a number. The Belgian-Dutch border is 458 kilometers long. On average, the posts are therefore just over a kilometer apart. source: bestemmingbuitenlucht.nl/

Actually, it's not allowed in the Clingse Bossen: go off the path, roam through the forest and build huts. Because plants get damaged and animals get scared. But here you can! So come and splash around with water, climb a tree, put on your own show in the theatre or play hide-and-seek!". an information board challenges children to romp around here. "Feel free to bring your parents: just put them on a bench with a good book and they'll be no trouble at all!" it continues, almost in the style of Annie M.G. Schmidt ;-)

Part of Groot Saeftinghe Smaekt, Grenspark Groot Saeftinghe, Bike Tour: Cycle and Enjoy on June 28, 2026 https://saeftinghesmaekt.eu

I was a little too late for the tulip bloom. In mid-May, only a few flowers were still open. So, the tip for this highlight: if you want to see the field at its best, walk past this point sometime in mid-April.