The best walks and hikes in De Linie

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 It was initially a manually operated drawbridge, but the mechanism has since been replaced by a hydraulic system.

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.

Narrow overgrown path next to the south lede

'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.

With some skill and caution you will enjoy this piece of off-road. Be careful, gravel is very loose in some places.