View of the Zwin – The Zwin Nature Reserve loop from Het Zoute
View of the Zwin – The Zwin Nature Reserve loop from Het Zoute
4.6
(59)
356
hikers
View of the Zwin – The Zwin Nature Reserve loop from Het Zoute
05:23
21.3km
40m
Hiking
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 20, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Zwin & Kievittepolder
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
843 m
Groenpleinpad Boardwalk
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3.60 km
Hospitality (Leaping Hare Sculpture by Barry Flanagan)
Highlight • Monument
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3.88 km
View of the Zwin
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7.47 km
Zwin Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural Monument
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8.60 km
Zwin Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural Monument
Further information can be found on the nature park's website: zwin.be
Translated by Google •
Tip by
9.49 km
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
10.5 km
The Zwin Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural Monument
The Zwin is a slufter: a beach plain behind the dunes that is in open connection with the sea. Directly behind the gully mouth lies a sandy beach, further inward lie dunes and salt marshes. Behind the row of dunes lie two small polders, the Kievittepolder and the Oudelandsepolder.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
11.4 km
Beach Pavilion De Zeemeeuw
Highlight • Cafe
Translated by Google •
Tip by
20.3 km
Zwin Dunes and Polders
Highlight • Natural
Until the end of the 19th century, these dunes, forests, pastures and meadows were constantly changing under the influence of the sea. The area looked like today's Zwin; with mudflats, salt marshes and gullies closed off on the sea side by a belt of dunes. The Zwin dunes and polders only got their present form in 1872-1873, when the international dike was built to protect the area from the sea.
Since then, man has left clear traces here again and again: in the summer of 1929 the area was a golf course (although you had to putt and hit between sheep, because it was still used as pasture), shortly afterwards a horse racing track and riding arena were built. International show jumping competitions were held on it until the 1960s. The Kleyne Vlakte next door was even converted into a 40-acre airport in the early 1930s.
Even the world wars left their mark on this tactically important area. Large areas were concreted over.
In 2002 the Flemish government bought the area and from 2004 it was restored. Today you can experience it in "natural", if not really original splendor, with fauna and flora, which ultimately can only survive here thanks to careful human intervention.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
21.3 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
10.8 km
7.91 km
1.92 km
774 m
Surfaces
15.4 km
3.35 km
1.33 km
970 m
295 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Tuesday 14 July
25°C
20°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 32.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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