The best family-friendly hikes and walks in De Linie

From the realization that breeds come and go in agriculture, the living heritage park wants to preserve the 'old' species. They possess genetic characteristics that have disappeared in their industrial counterparts, such as self-sufficiency and disease resistance. Moreover, these breeds are part of our cultural-historical heritage, just like historical buildings and works of art. They are intertwined with the region and its surroundings and are the result of years of breeding knowledge from our ancestors, which also deserves our appreciation... thus outlines an information board on site what the Living Heritage Park stands for. Several information boards provide some explanation of the different animal species and breeds.

Open every day except Monday from 11:00 AM; on Mondays only from 5:00 PM.

The Caudenbormbrug dates from the interwar period and was restored and partially renewed around 1945 after war damage. It was initially a manually operated drawbridge, but the mechanism has since been replaced by a hydraulic system.

This site, known as the hof van Koudenborm, is a former possession of the vanished Cistercian abbey of Boudelo, founded in the 12th century in Klein-Sinaai (Stekene). In written sources, it appears as the hof De Fonteyne. The ruin of the hof comprises the remains of a small 17th-century north wing on the street side and, behind it, a large south wing dating at least from the 16th century. Between the two wings stands the remnant of a square stair tower. The ruin is closed off on the street side by a low brick wall with the remains of a gate. There is no certainty about the function of the building. The complex would have been very suitable as an inn, given the gatehouse, the number of rooms, the cellars, and its location on the traffic axis from Bruges to Antwerp. The building could also have served as a Rabot. However, it was too large to serve solely as a lock, so it is possible that it was also a toll house with storage space. Goods were then loaded from the ship into the cellars through the openings at the bottom. The large square building with the gate on the Heirweg was demolished before 1925. From 1930 onwards, the hof was no longer inhabited. Part of the buildings was used as stables, while sand extraction was carried out on the undeveloped parts of the site. In 1930, the eastern stepped gable of the south wing collapsed, after which it was rebuilt as a gable wall using reused bricks. On February 23, 1979, the hof van Koudenborm was protected as a monument due to its historical and artistic value. On March 8, the building collapsed. The site was purchased in 1979 by the municipality of Moerbeke, the current owner of the ruin. Source: information board on site

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

Den Hert is a forest with a pond and is part of the De Linie nature reserve. The area is managed by the non-profit organization Durme. The peep wall is an observation wall where you can observe and photograph birds up close. The wall was built with support from the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB) and sponsor Natuurkijkers.be. Together with the surrounding forests, Den Hert forms a large, contiguous nature reserve (approximately 300 hectares). Since 2006, the area has been made more nature-friendly: exotic species were removed, several plane trees with tree hollows were left standing (a roost for woodpeckers and bats), and in 2015, the banks of the pond were modified. Steep banks were replaced with a gentler slope, and more light was introduced around the pond. Species including bulrush, cattail, and water lily now grow around the pond. In summer, this is a breeding ground for various waterfowl. In late summer, the water level is often low: ideal for kingfishers, which can then fish up close. On muddy banks, you can sometimes also spot wading birds or wagtails. In autumn and winter, many songbirds come to the feeding table. On the way to the viewing wall, you walk over a "rabat": a raised earthen strip, an old system for planting forests on wet ground. The viewing wall is accessible from August 15th to March 15th to give the animals a rest during the breeding season. Approach the viewing wall as quietly as possible. Dogs are left at the entrance.

A section of the Liniewegel will be closed between March 15th and August 15th. A designated alternative route will be available.

't Veldcafe in Moerbeke is a nice cycling café where strong cycling stories are shared over a pint. The terrace at the back is recommended. Here you have a relaxing view of the Zuidlede.