Best attractions and places to see around Lebbeke, a municipality in the East Flanders province of Belgium, offer a blend of historical sites and natural landscapes. The region features significant natural areas like the Lower Dender Nature Reserve and ancient forests. Visitors can explore various cultural points of interest and enjoy the local flora and fauna.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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beautiful views, easy country roads, extension possible in the Kravaal forest
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Beautiful, quiet forest. Some very muddy passages due to the persistent rain of the last months.
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The name "Koolputten" would refer to the former unloading place for coal that was located here in the vicinity of the current Durme bridge. This iron bridge was preceded by a wooden bridge, built in 1826 to replace the old ferry or Hammeveer between Sombeke and Hamme. In this area on the Durme there was also a small eel quay or beer quay known as " 't Kaaiken".
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Varied forest, beautiful paths that can sometimes be muddy. Furthermore, the forest feels rather wild, fallen trees are only removed on narrower paths if the passage is too much hindered. Much attention is also paid to ensuring that the permanent forest inhabitants can do their thing as undisturbed as possible.
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The Schiptrekkersbrug is a bridge over the Dender between Denderleeuw and Liedekerke, which is part of the Schiptrekkers cycle route. The bridge is named after the people who used to pull ships across the river using ropes and horses. It was a hard and poor profession, which was also practiced by women and children. The Schiptrekkers Bridge is a tribute to these people, who played an important role in the history of the region. There is a heritage sign on the bridge that tells their story.
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The Mira Bridge is a bridge over the Durme, on the border of the Belgian municipalities of Hamme and Waasmunster. It was built in the period 1896-1900. The bridge got its name and fame thanks to the feature film Mira, the 1971 film adaptation of the book De teleurgang van de Waterhoek by Stijn Streuvels by Fons Rademakers, with Willeke van Ammelrooy and Jan Decleir in the leading roles. The script was by Hugo Claus. The bridge that Streuvels described was not between Hamme and Waasmunster, but was the Vierendeel Bridge that connected Ruien with Avelgem. However, it was dynamited and replaced twice. The current bridge is a much more modern version of the original. At the beginning of the First World War, the middle section of the bridge was blown up by the local population, in an attempt to stop the Germans and their war material. (Wikipedia)
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During the end of the last ice age, the Scheldt between Ghent and Dendermonde left behind various fossil meander bends, such as those of Overmere-Donk and the Dam valley in Laarne. About 10,000 years ago, the Overmere meander was cut off. It took thousands of years for the meander to be completely filled by silting processes, after which peat formation took place. The thick layer of peat remained virtually untouched until the second half of the 17th century. Only then did peat begin to be extracted. As part of this peat extraction, the eastern part of the old Scheldt meander was excavated again, transforming the area into a large water surface. It was only finally drained at the beginning of the last century. The vacated land was planted with willows for basket weaving. After the Second World War, poplars were planted for the production of matches. Today, these poplars are gradually being replaced by native tree and shrub species as part of current forest management.
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Lebbeke offers diverse natural landscapes, including the Kravaalbos Forest, known for its vibrant autumn colors and spring bluebells. You can also visit the Peat Pits of Berlare Broek, a unique nature area with ponds and forests resulting from historical peat extraction. Additionally, the Natuurlandschap Beneden Dender (Lower Dender Nature Reserve) encompasses areas like Denderbellebroek and Hannaerden, featuring meadows, alder swamp forests, and willow rows.
Yes, the region around Lebbeke is well-suited for outdoor enthusiasts. You can find numerous routes for hiking, including those within the Kravaalbos Forest and the Hof Ten Dijke Nature Reserve. For more specific routes, explore the Running Trails around Lebbeke guide, which also features walking paths.
The area around Lebbeke provides excellent cycling opportunities. You can find routes like the "Little Mill Chapel – The Thick Oak loop from Lebbeke" or the "Denderbelle Lock Complex – Beneden-Dender Nature Reserve loop from Wieze." For a comprehensive list, check out the Cycling around Lebbeke guide, which includes various touring and gravel biking options.
Lebbeke is home to the historic Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Geboortekerk (Our Lady of Nativity Church), a significant pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. This church features a Baroque high altar and a miraculous polychromed statue of Our Lady of Lebbeke. The cultural center, CC De Biekorf, also serves as a hub for community events.
The Mira Bridge, located over the Durme between Hamme and Waasmunster, gained its fame from the 1971 film adaptation of Stijn Streuvels' book 'De teleurgang van de Waterhoek'. Originally built between 1896-1900, it was known as a Three-Part Metal Truss Bridge. During WWI, its middle section was blown up in an attempt to halt German forces.
The Ship Haulers Bridge in Denderleeuw is a bicycle bridge over the Dender, named in tribute to the 'schiptrekkers' (ship haulers). These individuals, including women and children, used ropes and horses to pull ships along the river, a hard profession that played an important role in the region's history. A heritage sign on the bridge tells their story.
Yes, several attractions around Lebbeke are considered family-friendly. The Kravaalbos Forest and the Peat Pits of Berlare Broek offer pleasant walking environments for families. Koolputten is also a popular meeting place, often featuring an ice cream cart, making it enjoyable for all ages.
The natural attractions around Lebbeke offer different charms throughout the year. The Kravaalbos Forest is particularly picturesque in autumn with its vibrant colors and in spring when purple bluebells bloom. These seasons generally offer pleasant weather for exploring the outdoors.
Visitors appreciate the blend of historical sites and natural beauty. The Kravaalbos Forest is loved for its varied paths and wild feel, while Koolputten is enjoyed as a historical meeting place. The Peat Pits of Berlare Broek are praised for their beautiful natural scenery, ideal for walking. The komoot community has shared over 120 photos and given more than 700 upvotes to these attractions.
Yes, Lebbeke offers several routes suitable for running. You can find trails around the Retention Basins Lebbeke or explore longer loops like the Bellebroek. For detailed routes and difficulty levels, refer to the Running Trails around Lebbeke guide.
The Natuurlandschap Beneden Dender (Lower Dender Nature Reserve), which includes areas like Denderbellebroek, is home to various endemic bird species. You might also spot larger wildlife such as foxes and deer in these natural settings.
While specific details on fully accessible paths are limited, the Ship Haulers Bridge is noted as wheelchair accessible, suggesting some surrounding paths may also be. For general easy walks, many of the nature reserves and forest paths offer relatively flat terrain, though conditions can vary, especially after rain.


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