Hiking network de Blankaart and Blankaart walking route

Walking network De Blankaart

Since summer 2022, you can explore the 111 km long walking network in and around the Blankaart near Diksmuide. Silence, water, vast landscapes, birds... and regular tasty stops.
Five ingredients that make every walk top notch and all five of which you have to hand on the De Blankaart walking network. Boarding is possible at Provinciedomein IJzerboomgaard, among other places. From Diksmuide you walk via car-free and unpaved paths through a flat polder landscape towards villages such as Sint-Jacobskapelle and Nieuwkapelle, through the IJzerbroeken, past hamlets such as Drie Grachten, Luigem and Steenstrate to Bikschote and Boezinge. With the seasonal ferry you can easily reach the other side of the Yser.

The junction map of the hiking network is for sale at the Tourist Office (€ 10).

Map out your route using the digital route planner.

The Blankaart walking route

The Blankaart walking route is a suggestion loop on the De Blankaart walking network and takes us through the IJzerbroeken, a plain of low-lying, marshy meadows and hay meadows of which the Blankaart area is part. Typical are the floods that can occur with persistent rainfall. Very often, therefore, boots or high step boots are a must. Starting from the visitors' centre De Blankaart, where you get an explanation about the nature reserve and the IJzer valley, the route leads you through the winter bed of the IJzer. On the watery route, there are six observation posts and two farms where you can have your own picnic. The total walk has a length of 10 km, but can be shortened to 5.6 km. Above all, don't forget your binoculars!

Starting point: Castle De Blankaart. Distance: 5.5 km or 10 km

Discover more walking networks here.

Please be aware, this area can be swampy and muddy, suitable footwear is recommended. Best high boots. Sneakers are never suitable for this hike.

The visitor centre in the castle is OPEN from Wednesday to Sunday, from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. There is a winter break between Christmas and New Year's Day.