The best walks and hikes around Gistel

The Creek Area around Ostend is a unique wetland zone, with a network of creeks, marshes, reed beds and grasslands. These creeks were created by the natural silting up of rivers and other waterways. The area has a rich biodiversity, which makes it ideal for a nature walk.

The Oostmolen site is located on the eastern edge of the city center of Gist. Due to its dual function as a grain and oil mill, the Oostmolen must be regarded as a unique example among the post mills. The blade cross is not only a driving source for the two pairs of grinding stones in the rotating mill housing, but also for the oil mill in the stamping shed. The mill was already mentioned in 1302. Initially it was a ban mill, as every tenth shovel of grain had to be given to the Lord of Gistel. The mill is depicted on the map of Jacob Van Deventer (ca. 1659-1573) and on the Sanderus engraving (1641). The current mill building dates from the 18th century and is on the Ferraris map (1770-1778). The Oostmolen was a typical Flemish post mill that was originally placed on brick slabs. In 1841 it was placed on a tower block by Karel Peel Keckaert to turn it into an oil mill or stomping ground. In 1933, the blades were covered by owner and molinologist Alfred Ronse, one of the first mills in West Flanders. In 1971 the Ronse family donated the mill to the city of Gistel. After a fire in 1979, the mill was completely rebuilt between 1979 and 1982 by Guido and Herman Peel under the supervision of engineer-architect Walter Snauwaert. The inauguration of the restored grain and oil mill took place on May 19, 1984. In June 1999, a wooden rod broke off. Between 2005 and 2007, the Dutch company Adriaens Molenbouw carried out a grinding restoration.

once the site of a castle where Snaaskerke arose

On the Polderdijk, opposite the farm "'t Meeuwenhof", there is a striking cast-iron pole on a base of brick and bluestone with the inscription “station geodesique 1853”. A geodetic signal or geodetic point is a fixed known point from which one starts when measuring distances for mapping a certain region. The iron pile along the Polderdijk is the geodetic signal of Zandvoorde, which is part of a mid-19th century geodetic net, more specifically a triangular net whose angles were measured and whose scale was determined by measuring three bases in Belgium, namely Ostend, Lommel and Hamipré.

The historic polders of Ostend were created in the sixteenth century, on the eve of the Siege of Ostend (1601–1604). The city was in the hands of the Beggars and was besieged by the Spaniards. The Beggars made a breach in the dunes (this is now the harbor channel) and the sea invaded the land. A large flood area arose, intersected with narrow creeks. Ostend had thus become an island and an almost impregnable fortress. The Beggars resisted the Spanish army for more than three years. The area of the Zoutekreek and the Sluiskreek is an important breeding ground for many birds: bluethroat, reed bunting, reed warbler, warbler, lapwing, black-tailed godwit, stonechat, etc. The surrounding polder complex contains 'jungle forests at knee height' with glass land that, in addition to a unique fauna and flora also has an ancient relief structure. Source: https://www.oostende.be/Krekengebied

nice resting point

A rather "open" and "windy" motorhome area

The historic polders of Ostend were created in the sixteenth century, on the eve of the Siege of Ostend (1601–1604). The city was in the hands of the Geuzen and was besieged by the Spanish. The Geuzen breached the dunes (this is now the harbour channel) and the sea invaded the land. A large flood area was created, intersected by narrow creeks. Ostend had thus become an island and an almost impregnable fortress. The Geuzen resisted the Spanish army for more than three years. The area of the Zoutekreek and the Sluiskreek is an important breeding ground for many birds: bluethroat, reed bunting, sedge warbler, reed warbler, lapwing, black-tailed godwit, redstart, etc. The surrounding polder complex contains ‘jungles at knee height’ with glass land that, in addition to unique fauna and flora, also has a centuries-old relief structure. Oostendse Krekenwandelroute Westtoer has mapped out a loop-shaped walking route that explores the Geuzenbos, the Grote Keignaert, the Zwaanhoek and Zandvoorde. The route is 13 km long. More information on https://www.oostende.be/Krekengebied