It’s hot, and that makes the water once again the favorite place to cool off. Ponds, springs, and lakes not only offer refreshment, but also serve as the backdrop for countless stories of our heritage.
In this selection, we’ll take you on seven ErfgoedApp along the water. From popular beach spots and historic recreational areas to quiet nature reserves with a hidden past: everywhere you go, you’ll discover how water and heritage have been intertwined for centuries.
Some routes immerse you in nostalgia, while others let you discover new layers of the landscape through nature, art, or augmented reality.
A diverse selection of walks that beautifully combine refreshment, exploration, and history.
"Hofstade Plage" Summer Walk
During a heat wave, we flock to the water to cool off. Visitors to the Hofstade Domain did the same nearly a century ago. What once began as sand extraction for the Mechelen-Brussels railroad line grew into a popular recreational area with a beach, a swimming area, and plenty of opportunities for relaxation.
In this ErfgoedApp, you’ll delve into the history ofHofstade Plageand, through unique images, discover how thousands of visitors have enjoyed a day by the water since the 1930s. A nostalgic look at leisure, that vacation feeling, and recreation close to home.
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The Blankaart walking route
Welcome to De Blankaart, the water-rich heart of the Westhoek. Here, nature and heritage come together in a unique landscape where water has played a central role for centuries.
This ErfgoedApp takes you along the Blankaart Walking Trail, a loop of 5.5 or 10 kilometers. You’ll follow an existing route through the castle grounds and the surrounding nature reserve, where you’ll learn more about the site’s history and the importance of water for people, nature, and agriculture.
A walk that immerses you in a unique corner of West Flemish nature.
ErfgoedApp
Freshwater Tour
If you’re looking to cool off in a green setting, Zoet Water in Oud-Heverlee is the place to be. This beloved heritage site, located between Heverleebos and Meerdaalwoud, has been a gathering place for centuries where nature, history, and recreation complement one another.
During this ErfgoedApp, you’ll stroll past picturesque ponds and discover iconic sites such as the Chapel of Our Lady of Steenbergen, the Spanish Roof, and historic inns that evoke the site’s past. An ideal outing for anyone who wants to enjoy a unique piece of nature with a surprising heritage story around every corner.
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Discover Vloethemveld
Vloethemveld is a vast 365-hectare nature reserve where silence, landscape, and history converge. Forests, heathland, nutrient-poor grasslands, and nutrient-poor water create a surprisingly varied setting.
But behind that natural beauty lies a remarkable history. During this ErfgoedApp, you’ll discover military heritage and the traces of a former prisoner-of-war camp, brought to life through the art and stories of its inhabitants. It’s a unique combination you won’t find anywhere else.
Head out and discover how nature and history blend together here.
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Out and About with Olga de Otter at Donkmeer in Berlare
Start this walk with WWF character Olga the Otter and delve into her family history at Donkmeer in Berlare. The route begins and ends at the visitor center and takes you past five stops where stories and historical sources appear automatically via GPS.
Along the way, history comes to life through augmented reality: place Olga in the landscape and discover her story step by step. Surrounded by nature, water, and recreational activities, you’ll experience this nature reserve in a fun and interactive way, with playgrounds and cozy places to eat along the way.
A unique journey where heritage, nature, and technology come together.
ErfgoedApp
De Wijers: The Land of 1,001 Ponds
For centuries, water has shaped the landscape of De Wijers, a unique area with more than 1,000 ponds in the heart of Limburg. What began as a network of fish farms has evolved into a remarkable blend of nature and heritage.
In this ErfgoedApp, you’ll discover through seven audio stories how water has provided food, wealth, and history in this area. A surprising journey through one of the most water-rich regions in Flanders.
ErfgoedApp
The sources of the Roodkloosterbeek in Oudergem
On this walk, you’ll discover a little-known piece of Brussels’ natural heritage: the springs that have shaped the landscape for centuries. You’ll follow the course of the Roodkloosterbeek stream past some of the capital’s most beautiful green spaces.
The route takes you through Bergoje Park, the historic site of the Red Monastery with its picturesque ponds and old priory, the Sonian Forest, and the Jean Massart Botanical Garden. Along the way, you’ll learn more about the role of water in this unique landscape and the rich history associated with it.
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