The best MTB trails around Zele

The most interesting secret of the Vlassenbroekbrug (N41) is that the bridge is actually half empty and was built for a highway that never materialized. When you drive or cycle over the bridge, this is immediately noticeable: Built for 2x2 lanes: When the concrete box girder bridge was opened in 1979, the government took into account that the N41 would become a major express road (or even highway) between Sint-Niklaas and Aalst. The construction was therefore immediately made wide enough for four lanes. Never finished: The plans for the full extension of the N41 were halted due to protests and changing insights. As a result, the western half of the bridge was never asphalted for cars. A cyclist's paradise: Where the second carriageway should have been, there is now a gigantic, wide, separate cycle path. Cyclists crossing the Scheldt therefore have unusually much space, purely as a reminder of an unfinished piece of Belgian road history.

better than crossing the busy street

not special but nice

The Vlassenbroek Bridge is a girder bridge over the Scheldt in the Belgian city of Dendermonde. The bridge is part of the N41 and is located slightly upstream of the village of Vlassenbroek. The two independent bridge halves each have a length of over 252 m and each consist of five spans with a largest span of 96.6 m over the Scheldt; only the downstream half of the bridge is in service and carries traffic in both directions. (Wikipedia)

Along this cycle path are all kinds of old locomotives, train wagons and other railway equipment from the non-profit organization Stoomtrein Dendermonde-Puurs on the grounds of the former Baasrode Noord station. The steam train runs every Sunday from July to September through the Scheldt country according to the timetable stated in the calendar. For more information, visit https://www.stoomtrein.be

Beautiful region for walking, cycling or gravel

The Mira Bridge is a bridge over the Durme, on the border of the Belgian municipalities of Hamme and Waasmunster. It was built in the period 1896-1900. The bridge got its name and fame thanks to the feature film Mira, the 1971 film adaptation of the book De teleurgang van de Waterhoek by Stijn Streuvels by Fons Rademakers, with Willeke van Ammelrooy and Jan Decleir in the leading roles. The script was by Hugo Claus. The bridge that Streuvels described was not between Hamme and Waasmunster, but was the Vierendeel Bridge that connected Ruien with Avelgem. However, it was dynamited and replaced twice. The current bridge is a much more modern version of the original. At the beginning of the First World War, the middle section of the bridge was blown up by the local population, in an attempt to stop the Germans and their war material. (Wikipedia)

According to insiders, you will find the most beautiful Scheldt bend at the authentic Scheldt village of Sint-Amands. You will undoubtedly recognize it from the successful series 'Stille Waters', referring to the moment when the current, between ebb and flow, comes to a standstill. Along the banks you will find the mausoleum of the village poet Emile Verhaeren, a dignified place with a view of the meandering Scheldt. Did you know that you can do 'bank hopping' here? With the triangular ferry Mariekerke - Moerzeke - Sint-Amands you will be on the other side in no time. In short: it is pure enjoyment in Puurs-Sint-Amands! More triggers of the Scheldeland can be found at https://www.scheldeland.be/puurs-sint-amands