The best running trails around Zuienkerke

The Zandpanne Nature Reserve is a valuable dune area between Wenduine and De Haan, known for its variety of dune forests, open dunes and moist dune valleys.

A steel plaque—barely larger than a foot—placed just like that on the forest floor. Sometimes a fresh flower lies beside it. Or a candle burns.

A well-maintained beach promenade and a magnificent, very wide beach that is accessible to the public everywhere.

De Haan is a coastal town in northern Belgium. It is known for its long beach and restaurant-lined promenade. The streets of the Concessie district are lined with Art Nouveau buildings, such as the large town hall, housed in a former luxury hotel. Albert Einstein stayed at the nearby Villa Savoyarde for a few months in 1933. On the outskirts of town lie massive sand dunes crisscrossed by paths.

Xu Zhen's artwork "Eternity - Poseidon" is based on a bronze statue from Artemision. This statue, dating to 460 BC, was found in a Roman shipwreck on the seabed near Cape Artemision off the Greek coast. To this day, it remains unclear whether the statue depicts Poseidon, the god of the sea, or Zeus, the god of the sky. Xu Zhen copied the centuries-old work and placed a series of Peking ducks, a Chinese specialty, on the statue's arms. Peking duck became popular in the 14th century when it became a favorite dish at the Chinese imperial court. Since then, it has been a national symbol, representing Chinese culture at diplomatic dinners.

Crossing the dunes to get to the beach can be tricky for beginners, but the walk is generally straightforward. Be careful, some sections of the woods may be closed depending on the season.

At this location is a Memorial Crash Waco CG-4A Glider WWII. Information panel on the bank of the Blankenbergse Vaart provides historical information: On Tuesday 19 September 1944, 10 days after the liberation of Blankenberge, a Waco CG-4A Glider of the American army crashed here. This glider with number 42-79442 was part of a formation of four C47A aircraft with gliders of the 101st airborne division that was on its way to Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden (capture of bridges in the Dutch Nijmegen and Arnhem). Historical facts on 19/09/1944: 'When the formation flew over Blankenberge, the tow cable of the glider suddenly broke. The glider came loose from its tow plane and collided with the tip of its wing against the tow cable of another aircraft in the formation. A wing broke, after which the aircraft began to spin and crashed without control in a meadow near the Schare Bridge, which the Germans had flooded shortly before to slow down the advance of the Allied liberation army. The seven occupants did not survive the crash. Six bodies were recovered from the wreckage. Another body was found under the wreckage shortly afterwards. The remains were repatriated to their homeland or given a final resting place at the American Military Cemetery in Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium). The victims who died are: Robert E. Brown 1916-19/09/1944 James J. Szur 1917-19/09/1944 Caroll D. Simmons 1918-19/09/1944 John. J.Vetter 1921-19/09/1944 William A. Sowell, Jr. 1924-19/09/1944 Earnest H. Smith 1924-19/09/1944 Arthur A. Hutchins 1925-19/09/1944 We Will Remember Them

beautiful walking path in the dune forests