The best hikes from bus stations in Uitkerkse Polder

Havengeul Blankenberge – the gateway to the North Sea This place is buzzing with maritime activity! The harbour channel of Blankenberge forms the connection between the lively marina and the open North Sea. Pleasure craft, fishing boats, and walkers constantly cross paths here. A place where the sea never seems to stand completely still. On both sides of the channel, the two well-known piers jut far out into the sea. These walking piers are not only popular spots to get some fresh air and enjoy the view, but also help to protect the navigation channel from waves and silting. On the east side, the recognizable Blankenberge lighthouse immediately catches the eye. From the piers, you also have a beautiful view of the boats entering and leaving the North Sea. From elegant yachts to sturdy fishing vessels: boat spotting here is almost a sport in itself! 🚤 And then there's the ferry. If the sign 'OVERZET' is on your route, you know you can take a handy shortcut. The seasonal ferry quickly takes walkers and cyclists from the eastern side of the harbour channel to the western pier and the dunes. This way, you don't have to go all the way around the marina, and you get a mini sea voyage on top of it. 😉 In short: here, the harbour, the sea, the boats, and the walkers come together beautifully. Stop for a moment, breathe in the salty sea air, and wait for the next boat to enter the harbour channel... and then move on!

The Pier of Blankenberge and the Blankenberge Lighthouse are the two most iconic maritime monuments of the Belgian coast. Together, they form the unique face of this vibrant seaside resort, where rich history and breathtaking panoramas of the North Sea meet.

1€ per person the crossing

The pier that 'walked' into the sea (and died in flames) Did you know that the current concrete pier is actually already the second version at this location? The very first pier in Blankenberge was opened in 1894 and was a breathtaking work of art made of cast iron and glass, designed by the Brussels engineer Johnona. It was the very first amusement pier on the European mainland at the time and was considered the symbol of the luxurious Belle Époque. Fate, however, struck during the First World War. In 1914, the German occupiers deliberately set fire to the monumental cast-iron pier. They were terrified that the Allies would use the structure as a landing stage for an invasion from the sea. The rebirth! It wasn't until 1933 that the robust, concrete Art Deco pier you see today, designed by Jules Soete, emerged. With its 350-meter length, this concrete colossus has defied every severe North Sea storm ever since. Nice detail for your route: The Belgium Pier is still the only real walking pier in Belgium that extends so far into the open sea. It is absolutely worth parking your bike and walking all the way to the round head for a unique 360-degree view of the waves!

On the Zeedijk of Blankenberge stands this impressive, seven-meter-high bronze monument to Lieutenant Joseph Lippens and Sergeant Henri De Bruyne, two Belgian soldiers who died in the Congo in 1892. The monument was unveiled in 1900 and designed by sculptor Guillaume Charlier. The depiction shows De Bruyne supporting his sick superior Lippens while simultaneously pointing resolutely towards the horizon. The statue thus tells the story of their captivity and their refusal to abandon each other. Over the years, the monument has had a turbulent history. The bronze statues were removed by the German occupiers during the First World War and later recast. Since 1980, the monument has been protected heritage. Today, it is not only a striking landmark on the sea dike, but also a place that invites reflection on Belgium's colonial past and how we view it today. An impressive monument with a story that reaches far beyond its bronze figures.

A great historical fact for the Zeedijk of Blankenberge is that the very first electric tram line in Belgium ran here! The birth of the Kusttram! Today, the Kusttram is an icon that connects the entire Belgian coast, but it all started on the Zeedijk of Blankenberge. In 1890, a test line was built between the station and the dike, specifically for the wealthy Belle Époque tourists. This was an absolute world attraction: at that time, steam trams or horse-drawn carriages still ran everywhere, but in Blankenberge, people glided silently and hyper-modernly past brand-new hotels and casinos. The trial was so successful that it laid the foundation for today's, the world's longest tram line. Tip for your route: if you walk or cycle along the wide dike today, you are literally treading in the footsteps of the very first tram passengers who stood here more than 130 years ago, gazing at the sea with their mouths agape!

Organized chaos from the sea! The striking Het Wrakhout bridge in Wenduine is an 83-meter-long cycle and footbridge over the Koninklijke Baan. Since 2014, it has formed a safe connection between the Uitkerkse Polders and the beach. But take a particularly close look at the construction. The apparent jumble of wooden beams is no accident: design agency West 8 was inspired by driftwood that used to wash ashore on Wenduine beach after severe storms. Behind that chaotic look also lies an impressive feat of engineering: the bridge contains over 30 tons of steel and around 1,000 individual beams. The Azobé hardwood used is resistant to the salty sea air, strong coastal winds, and blowing sand. A safe crossing with a nod to the past – and definitely worth a look! 😉

Beautiful view of Blankenberge, ideal resting place