The best walks and hikes around Waasmunster

The Waasmunster Bridge, which carries the N446 over the Durme River in Waasmunster, is an old bridge in urgent need of replacement. The work was scheduled to run from autumn 2025 to the end of 2026. However, by the time I passed by at the end of October 2025, it had not yet begun. Legal proceedings before the Council for Permit Disputes appear to be delaying the process. The current bridge has been in place since 1931, and although the superstructure was rebuilt in 1950 after being destroyed during World War II, it is no longer in good condition. The steel structure exhibits significant corrosion damage, which is affecting the bridge's supporting structure. The bridge deck itself is also in poor condition. As a result, a tonnage restriction (60 tons) is currently in effect on the N446. Furthermore, the bridge's substructure is nearing its end of life and is showing cracks. Besides the structural problems, road safety (the lack of separation between motorized traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians) is also a concern on the bridge. The situation under the bridge is also no longer aligned with current needs and insights. To reduce the risk of flooding, a bridge is needed that provides more space for the river and nature. Sources: wegenenverkeer.be & vrt.be/vrtnws

uh, what are they doing on the Durme

Well, just 10 meters further

Chilll

High on the south facade of the tower, a sundial can be seen. This was certainly the case at the end of the 19th century. During the restoration of the church in the 1990s, the original was replaced by a worthless copy (as we read in Astrolemma, the inventory of 218 sundials in East Flanders). In 2000, on the occasion of Open Monument Day, this copy was completely restored.

Between 1994 and 2015, twenty-two trees were planted in the park, symbolising laureates of the cultural prize. This annual municipal prize recognises an exceptional achievement or important contribution in the socio-cultural field. To honour them all, the twenty-two names are collected on a plaque on the wall of the castle and symbolically accompanied by a tree in the park. The 2018 laureate, Ivan Du-Tré, also features on this commemorative element. He was honoured as the author of the book 'Waasmunster in the Great War', a thorough reference work with short stories about life in our municipality during WWI. Source: information board on site

In five places in the Waasland (Lokeren, Waasmunster, Sint-Niklaas and 2 x Beveren) monuments have been placed in recent years that honour forgotten women (in a history dominated by men), who in one way or another left their mark on the region. Here: Clara-Maria Cocquyt. From farmer's daughter to maid and kitchen helper, the young Clara-Maria Cocquyt (1895-????) had a lot to offer, but growing up in a modest farming family, she did not have the opportunities to seize. When she was 14, she started as a maid here in Blauwendael Castle, with Baron Emile de Neve de Roden. Every day she got up early to clean the stoves and keep the house tidy ... It was quite hard work! She soon learned that there was a hierarchy among the staff, with all the consequences that entailed. Fortunately, Clara-Maria was an eager girl who fought back. In 1917, she exchanged her job as a maid for a better position as a kitchen helper in another castle. There she served for many years at the side of her future husband, who was a servant there. Source: information board on site

In 2021, Natuurpunt purchased 16 hectares of the forest area around the Roosenberg Abbey from the Mariazusters van Franciscus (who lived in the abbey until 2016). The forest, now called 'De Ketelbossen', consists mainly of pines, oaks and birches. Squirrels, deer, crested tits, black woodpeckers, pied flycatchers and the barbastelle bat, which is rare in Flanders, live there. The forest is only accessible to hikers. Sources: Natuurpunt & Wikipedia