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Molsbroek Nature Reserve – De Buylaers Nature Reserve loop from Lokeren

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Hiking trails & Routes

Molsbroek Nature Reserve – De Buylaers Nature Reserve loop from Lokeren

Moderate

4.6

(84)

548

hikers

Molsbroek Nature Reserve – De Buylaers Nature Reserve loop from Lokeren

02:23

9.47km

10m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Nationaal Park Scheldevallei

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

405 m

Hare Group (2012)

Highlight • Monument

“The three hares” was the winner of the competition for a work of art on the renovated market square.
This group of statues has become one of the most important landmarks in the cityscape and refers to the hair cutting workshops where the hair of rabbits and hares was prepared to make felt hats. Lokeren was the world centre of this industry in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century.
The three identical hares in stainless steel are symbolically positioned: the hare on the Market Square looks towards the museum, the industrial past. The hare in the middle looks towards the renovated market and further towards the new industrial estates, the economic future. The hare on the edge of the water is facing the Durme valley and the sub-municipalities of Eksaarde and Daknam, the green present.
A poem was also engraved in each hare, both in normal script and in Braille.

Source: Lokeren Sculpture Walk

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.29 km

Molsbroek Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

The Molsbroek is ideal for a quiet walk. Because of the many water, many water birds can be spotted.

Translated by Google •

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4.72 km

Molsbroek

Nature Reserve

5.28 km

Patjoepelke statue in Molsbroek Nature Reserve

Highlight • Monument

Patjoepelke, the gnome who sprang from the brain of Lokeren youth writer Yvonne Waegemans, was given his own statue in the Molsbroek nature reserve in 2009. This happened 100 years after the birth of his creator.

Translated by Google •

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5.36 km

Molsbroek Visitor Centre

Highlight • Rest Area

At the start of your walk, the visitor center is recommended to get all your answers. Nice location to enjoy your picnic outside. You can park on the street side.

Translated by Google •

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5.41 km

Pluisjesbos - Molsbroek (Lokeren)

Highlight • Forest

At the visitor center of Molsbroek you will find a small but nice forest, the Pluisjesbos. Here you can romp, picnic and relax under the large oak. A mini-forest with maximum natural value. it is not uncommon to spot squirrels there in the spring. Now it has become a lovely picnic area with an obstacle course for the little ones.

Translated by Google •

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5.70 km

Along the former peat extraction area

Highlight (Segment) • Natural

A narrow walking dike that you share with cyclists. Beautiful view of the former peat extraction area that is now under water.

Translated by Google •

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8.10 km

De Buylaers Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Just a fifteen minute walk from Lokeren station you are already in this 20 hectare nature reserve on the left bank of the Durme. It also merges into the spontaneously overgrown Verloren Bos with its remnants of drifting dunes.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.30 km

Stork Nest Observation Point Buylaers Nature Reserve

Highlight • Viewpoint

Every year, a pair of storks nests on a nesting pole in the heart of the Buylaers nature reserve in Lokeren. The non-profit organization Durme wants everyone to be able to enjoy this natural spectacle.
The fixed binoculars are mounted on a pole and have a magnification of 20.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

9.47 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.93 km

3.06 km

1.00 km

488 m

Surfaces

6.65 km

1.21 km

904 m

441 m

156 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 26 August

29°C

17°C

56 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

February 15, 2025,Lokeren: Molsbroek en Buylaers

Everyone knows Lokeren from football and the Lokerse Feesten, but just one kilometre from the Markt there is also a unique piece of nature waiting for you. On to the Verloren Bos, the Buylaersmeersen and the Molsbroek, with its 80 hectares the largest protected nature reserve in the Durme region!

Showing Translation

February 19, 2025,Lokeren: Molsbroek en Buylaers

Nature reserve 'de Buylaers' has more than 230 plant species. In the 19th century, linen from the flax and linen industry was bleached here. The hair cutting industry - cleaning rabbit and hare skins for the hat industry - was also important, hence the three hares on the Durme.
With its 80 ha, the Molsbroek is the largest protected nature …

Showing Translation

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Molsbroek Nature Reserve – De Buylaers Nature Reserve loop from Lokeren

Hare Group (2012)

Molsbroek Nature Reserve

Patjoepelke statue in Molsbroek Nature Reserve

Molsbroek Visitor Centre

Pluisjesbos - Molsbroek (Lokeren)

Along the former peat extraction area

De Buylaers Nature Reserve

Stork Nest Observation Point Buylaers Nature Reserve

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