Known for its chill walking trails, plus gorgeous flowers in May. Check out the popular nature reserve Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen just outside Ghent’s city centre.
Escape the city at the nearby 220 hectares nature reserve. Go along on the free walking trails for a breath of fresh air super close to Ghent. Take your pick of three walking trails from 2km to 5.5km. That 5.5km walk is a full lap of the Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen nature reserve and will take you about 2 hours.
This nature reserve is popular for quick strolls and part of a family day out in Ghent. Even though it’s super close to the city, there’s some good nature highlights here. But, if traffic is busy you’re still gonna hear the cars. It’s not that easy to escape traffic!
- Barefoot Path: you wanna escape to nature? Time to take off your shoes and literally feel Mother Nature on your feet. Bring the kids along to give them a feel for nature
- Kid Friendly: pick up a Boeboek backpack at the Visitor center De Bourgoyen on the Driepikkelstraat entrance. It’s full of activities for kids to do on the walk to keep ‘em engaged. Plus, all walking trails are stroller friendly.
- Plant Power: in May this nature reserve really comes to life. Zoom in on the lush grasses for cute Instagram photos of cuckoo flowers, clovers, and (if you’re lucky) even dragonflies
- Accessibility: wheelchair users and the visually impaired get to enjoy the nature reserve on the Meerskant path
- Birds Galore: known for being a popular bird nesting site, Bourgoyen has observation huts by the waterside. Easy photo spots for nature lovers
Tips and Tricks
- Cycling: you can’t bike in some areas of the nature reserve. Keep an eye out for the signs or download the map from their website
- The flowers really look their best in May - June.
Getting There
- By Car: free parking available on site
- By Bike: 10 min bike ride from Ghent city centre
- By Bus: close to bus stop Mariakerke Jutestraat. Bus 3 stops here.
Route details
Starting Point: walks mostly start at the Driepikkelstraat entrance
- Signage: follow the blue dotted line for the 5.5km walk or the red dotted line for the 4.4 km option
- Map: available here.
Open everyday, sunrise to sunset
All seasons
Free
Open. The nature reserve has narrow paths and can get busy, so keep your distance. To avoid most other walkers, try going early in the morning or late afternoon.