Belgium 2020-05-06 - Packraft Leie

One day after our first post-lockdown paddling trip, Evert and I again meet up. We are experiencing another gorgeous day, and the plan is to take advantage of it making a loop joining some branches of the river Leie, in close vicinity of the city of Ghent, and basically circumventing areas known as Assels and Blaarmeersen.

We put in at the new river terrace below the old abbey of Drongen (from 1859 in its current state, but originally dating back to the 7th century) and paddle an old river branch to a place called "3 Leien". From there, we follow the actual river Leie to Afsnee, where we pass its 12th century Romanesque church.

We paddle Rosdambeek upstream a bit, but soon return to the river, which we continue to follow until Muynckhammen. We cross the Ringvaart canal, have a short break at the marina to give Evert the chance to empty his boat (as it seems to be punctured), and continue paddling until Watersportbaan, doing a short 10 m portage in the process.

We cross Watersportbaan and follow the so-called Northern Leie river branch past Malem until the nature reserve of Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen. Unfortunately, but very understandably, paddling is forbidden in the nature reserve, and we therefore embark on a ~1.5 km portage through the reserve with our boats inflated.

The least enjoyable, albeit unavoidable, part of the trip is crossing the bridge across the Ringvaart canal and the R4 motorway, on foot. Luckily, we can again put in at the other side of the bridge, and follow the old Leie river branch back to Drongen, where we arrive after having traveled 12.2 km.

Finally, an 8 km bike ride takes me back home, while the sun is setting.