Discover Waasmunster

Waasmunster combines the green landscape of the Wase Cuesta with trails through wet meadows, forests and heathland, as well as a diverse cultural history. The town is therefore well suited to planning a trip that combines nature experiences, physical activity and historical discoveries. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can consider which of these aspects should shape your stay.

Landscape between the Cuesta and the Durme Valley

The Wase Cuesta in Waasmunster consists of a cuesta ridge and a cuesta front that slopes down towards the Durme Valley. The Durme Valley contains a controlled flood area that is part of the Sigma Plan. Wet meadows and lush vegetation characterise this landscape. A spring area near Sombeke includes a special biotope in which, among other plants, cowslip, yellow dead-nettle, muskroot, marsh marigold and wood anemone grow.

The Oude Durme also offers a specific connection with nature for planning your trip. The 3-hectare nature reserve lies between Waasmunster and Hamme and is recognised as a protected European nature reserve. The Sombeke–Oude Durme walking trail runs along this area. Anyone interested in wetlands and different plant habitats can make this trail one of the focal points of their stay.

Hiking and cycling on a variety of routes

For a manageable hike, the Edmond Verstraetenpad is a good option. It starts at the Sombekedries, is signposted and is 7.5 km long. Its route passes meadows and wet meadows. As part of the Oeverlopen project, four additional walks are signposted: Roosenberg Rood, Roosenberg Blauw, Sombeke Oude Durme lus 1 and Sombeke Oude Durme lus 2.

If you prefer mountain biking, the mountain bike route in Waasmunster consists of three loops in green, blue and red. It runs through forests, fields and heathland, as well as the Durme and Meersengebied areas. The red Waasmunster mountain bike route by Sport Vlaanderen is 13.52 km long and runs through De Ketelbossen. These routes therefore offer different ways to explore the landscape actively, without having to limit your trip to just one mode of transport.

Nature experiences and places for days together

De Vaag is a play and nature area in Waasmunster. It has a freely accessible play zone and a campfire area. For trips with children, this place can be considered as a possible activity alongside longer hikes or cycling tours. Waasmunster’s visitor attractions also include the Durme Valley, heathland and forests, as well as hiking, cycling and mountain biking in the hilly green Wase Cuesta.

Culture, history and distinctive buildings

Waasmunster also offers several opportunities for culture-oriented days. The WAESEUM is a municipal museum focusing on the historical, current and future development of Waasmunster. The museum of Abdij Roosenberg displays furniture, paintings, old maps, manuscripts, archaeological remains and funerary heritage. De Koolputten Kunstforum hosts changing thematic exhibitions and cultural activities.

Among the notable historic buildings is the Parochiekerk Onze-Lieve-Vrouw en Sint-Petrus en Paulus, which is designated as a protected monument. The larger chapel from which the Parochiekerk Sint-Rochus developed was completed in 1643 and consecrated on 3 May 1643 by Antonius Triest, Bishop of Ghent. Kasteel Ortegat is a country estate in the neoclassical style with Empire elements and a landscaped park dating from the first decades of the 19th century.

The Kasteeldomein van Sombeke lies on the northern edge of the Durme Valley. The estate includes a gatehouse complex and a brick arched bridge over the wide moat, leading to the rectangular residential island with the castle. Another cultural connection is provided by the Mirabrug in Koolputten, Waasmunster: it is associated with the film Mira of de teleurgang van de Waterhoek, made in 1971.

Choose the right base for your trip

When choosing your accommodation, you can first determine the rhythm you want for your trip: should the focus be on signposted hikes, mountain bike loops, nature areas, or museums and historic buildings? Waasmunster offers specific destinations for each of these interests. A holiday apartment or holiday home can therefore be selected primarily according to your personal excursion plans and preferred combination of landscape, physical activity and culture.

Further places for planning your trip: Hamme, Oosterzele, Sint-Gillis-Waas, Aalter, Deinze, Destelbergen, Erpe-Mere and Maldegem.

For the broader travel overview: East Flanders.