Denderleeuw - Aalst

Start & finish : train station of Denderleeuw
Parking : some parking lots are free, others not; during the weekend more parking possibilities are free than during the working week, so have a close look at the signs before leaving your car.
Terrain : some muddy paths, so waterproof footwear is recommended.

Soon after leaving the streets of Denderleeuw, we cross the first swamp, the "Wellekensmeersen", stuck between the river Dender, the highway E40 and some railways.

In Erembodegem we pass the chapel O.L.V. Ter Muren in the "Kapellekensbaan", also the name of the most famous novel of Louis-Paul Boon. We enter Aalst passing the Osbroek, also a marshy area. If you are lucky you come along the aurochs and horses grazing this area. In the city park of Aalst you can have a drink and even eat your picknick in the meantime at 't Melkhuisje (public toilet in the nearby building).

After following the river Dender for a short while, we enter the Gerstjens, a small forest with 2 suspension bridges. We have to cross the busy road N9 before entering Erembald a forest in development. This area is linked with the Kluisbos, an older and muddy forest. The rest of the day you'll follow a number of footpaths through agricultural area. You enter Denderleeuw along the Dender, a bridge over it and the main square near the church where there are number of cafes and eateries.

Photo credit : Monique V.


More info :

Wellekensmeersen
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http://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebied-wellemeersen_173.aspx
You might consider membership of Natuurpunt, the organisation which manages a lot of nature in Flanders :
http://www.natuurpunt.be/nl/doe-mee/word-lid-van-natuurpunt_263.aspx
http://www.denderleeuw.be/content/1179

Green areas of Aalst
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http://www.natuurenbos.be/nl-BE/Domeinen/Oost-Vlaanderen/Osbroek.aspx#.UvXWDsURUVw (with link for map)
http://www.aalst.be/?artikelid=1393
http://www.aalst.be/default.asp?siteid=1&rubriekid=882#article1248

Kapellekensbaan Louis-Paul Boon
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http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Kapellekensbaan