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Damvallei Nature Reserve – Boardwalk Along the Kattepad loop from Destelbergen

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Hiking trails & Routes

Damvallei Nature Reserve – Boardwalk Along the Kattepad loop from Destelbergen

Moderate

4.4

(301)

957

hikers

Damvallei Nature Reserve – Boardwalk Along the Kattepad loop from Destelbergen

02:11

8.67km

10m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Natuurreservaat Damvallei

Nationaal Park Scheldevallei

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

77 m

In De Damvallei you can go hiking in nature, near Ghent. It is a low moor, formed by some distant meanders of the Scheldt. The marked walking routes take you past flowery, moist hay meadows, a large number of peat pits, willow and alder thickets. Two lakes define the landscape.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.70 km

Boardwalk Along the Kattepad

Highlight • Trail

Popularly known as the "Kattepad", the route has the status of an actual neighborhood road (created by at least 30 years of public use). This legal status and additional user advice collected through the municipal council formed the basis for making this neighborhood road more accessible. As a slow road, the Kattepad may only be used by non-motorized traffic and this location is specifically reserved for pedestrian traffic. The slow road is part of the recreational Damvalleipad walking route (9 km) within the Damvallei nature reserve, managed by Natuurpunt. The construction of a deck path on part of the section of the Kattepad was considered necessary, as the route was too boggy to use every year - especially during the wet months.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.96 km

Pond Route in De Damvallei

Highlight • Trail

Despite having to cross or cross the highway 4 times, it is a very nice and varied tour

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.00 km

Ridderpad

Highlight • Trail

4.65 km

Meerskantpoelen

Lake

5.55 km

Asserij Fish Passable Weir

Highlight • Structure

Fish-passable weir Asserij on watercourse OS197 – Damsloot

During the construction of the motorway in 1971, the Asserij weir was built at the request of Professor of Biology Jan Huble (1932-2009). Without a weir, the water-rich nature reserve Damvallei would run dry. This is detrimental to the watercourses and canals, the Lange Poel, the numerous peat pits, the peat layers and also to the flower-rich hayfields.

The original weir was not adjustable. However, for the optimal development of the natural values, it is important that the water levels, depending on the seasons and weather conditions, can be actively regulated.

The weir also formed a barrier for the fish. In order to ensure a healthy population of small mud crawlers, bitterlings and eels, it is important that these species can move around the area without obstacles. The recognition as a European protected nature reserve encouraged us to break through the barrier at the Asserij waterworks.

The fish-passable Asserij weir was therefore built in 2023 on behalf of the Province of East Flanders. The new weir was equipped with 6 phases of adjustable valves. These valves make the water level adjustable in 3 cm steps, making it possible to optimally set the water level for the fish and the surrounding nature reserve at any time.

View the operation of the fish ladder and find more information at waterinfo.be.

More information via waterbeleid@oost-vlaanderen.be or scan the QR code

The project is part of a programme of the Department of Environment (DOMG) that is part of Blue Deal (Flanders).

More information about the Damvallei nature reserve: natuurpunt.be/pagina/projectgebied-damvallei

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.77 km

Damsloot Lake

Highlight • Lake

The Damslootmeer in Heusden was created during the construction of the E17 and is now a nature reserve. Windsurfing and wakeboarding are done on the lake by the members of Sailing Club RBSC Heusden.

Unfortunately, the trails around the lake are quite inaccessible to cyclists due to vegetation or closures.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.67 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.60 km

2.14 km

2.10 km

1.52 km

312 m

Surfaces

2.44 km

2.30 km

1.98 km

1.72 km

177 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Saturday 4 July

24°C

16°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Damvallei Nature Reserve – Boardwalk Along the Kattepad loop from Destelbergen

Footbridge