Destination: Ghent
Viewing Ghent
Viewing Ghent
Features
Essence
Time Line
Peace & Quiet
* Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen
* Citadelpark
* Other peaceful places in the centre
Famous People
Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen

Between the ring canal and the ring road there is a nature reserve covering 200ha which is so well hidden behind rows of houses that even many local people do not suspect its existence. It consists of grassland, most of which is under water during winter. Many waders and waterfowl are seen here over the winter and if you have the time you can watch from one of the two hides and tick off the birds you see on the lists provided for the ongoing record: herons, little grebes, ducks in all shapes and sizes, coots, widgeon, moorhens, teal and swans. In spring a number of species nest here including curlews, lapwings, great crested grebes and snipe, and weasels and stoats breed in the dry areas. There is excellent skating to be enjoyed if there has been a hard frost after heavy rain.
This natural area was used for the Ghent World Fair of 1913 and visitors could take a trip along the showpiece section of Belgian Railways. You can now walk along the line of the old railway but you must keep to the footpath. It takes you along a former arm of the River Leie and the Valkenhuishoeve, a farmhouse built in 1624. Guided walks are organised for those who would like to know more about the fauna and flora. For more information, enquire at De Grutto, the visitors' centre situated in Gandhistraat.
COUNTRY
Belgium
REGION

CITIES
Brussels
Bruges
Ghent
  Viewing
  Top Ten
  What To See
  Where To ...
  Practical Matters
MAPS
World
Europe
TRAVEL BOOK