The demands and hectic pace of modern life can sometimes be exhausting. Research has shown that people benefit from spending time in nature, both physically and psychologically – hence the reason for the big push in recent years to establish “green space” in cities worldwide.
But you never have to drive more than an hour to get to one of the region’s natural areas, and Blankaart is Flanders at its most pristine. Located just south of Diksmuide, the nature reserve is a protected area of over 300 hectares.
Natuurpunt, Flanders’ largest private environmental organisation, owns the Blankaart; adjacent to the reserve is a castle and a park that are owned by the Flemish Region. The castle hosts “De Otter”, an informative visitor centre staffed by Natuurpunt employees and volunteers.
De Otter also features a wealth of information about the area. Kids may especially enjoy the exhibits on the region’s flora and fauna and a film that visually and sonically leads you through day and night in the reserve.
The Blankaart landscape is reedy swamps and grassy meadows and features a large, shallow pond. The reserve lies in the floodplain of the river IJzer, making it susceptible to flooding, especially in the winter. This makes it a paradise for wintering and migrating birds.
The Blankaart is part of a larger area of wetlands designated as a Ramsar site, which gives it status as an internationally-important area for water birds, particularly for the wintering Eurasian wigeon.
A winter trip to the Blankaart can be a little challenging, as parts of the path may be under water or ice, but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful scenery and the sights and sounds of thousands of birds. Commonly found there in the winter are white-fronted geese and a variety of ducks, including northern shovelers and common teals. If you’re lucky, you might also spot tundra swans, cormorants and herons.
The “Blankaartpad” is a 9.6-kilometre trail through the reserve that is clearly marked. You can either walk the whole trail or portions of it with your detailed map from the visitor centre. Starting your walk at the back of the castle, you’ll soon see the old ijskelder (ice cellar) on your left, which now serves as a home for hibernating bats. Soon after that, veer off the main path and to the left when you see a sign for an observation hut. Here you can sit in a blind and observe birds at close range.
Continue across the arched bridge, where there is a good view of the castle and a pretty spot for photos. You’ll also see a statue of an otter in the water – the mascot of the reserve. Otters used to inhabit the Blankaart, but in the 1980s they disappeared due to deteriorating water quality. The otter is now held up as a barometer for the health of the reserve. With careful management and restoration of the land and water, there is hope that someday they will return.
Soon after the bridge, go left off the main trail to visit another observation hut that has a wonderful view of the Blankaart pond. On the day I visited in early January, there were more birds to watch at this blind, though they were farther away. (Bring a pair of binoculars for optimal enjoyment of the reserve.) As I sat in the hut, flock after flock flew hurriedly by, and birdwatchers sat in rapt attention.
The path was flooded not far beyond the observation hut, but, the weather being what it has been, the path was frozen, and I could continue walking on the ice until I reached the Kleine Blankaart, or little pond. The trail is easy, but it’s not paved, so waterproof boots are recommended and buggies are not. Staff at De Otter can inform you of trail conditions and recommend alternative routes if necessary.
Each first Sunday of the month, a Natuurpunt guide leads a tour of the Blankaart, which departs from the visitor centre at 14.30.
After a cold winter walk, I recommend warming up by a wood-fired stove at the De Dolle brewery in the Esen suburb of Diksmuide. If it’s still available, try the Stille Nacht, a high-density, complex Christmas brew. Fruit juice and water are available, too, as is a homemade pâté, crafted with another of their fine beers, the Oerbier. De Dolle is only open on weekends and offers guided tours in English on Sundays.
De Otter visitor centre
Iepersteenweg 56, Woumen (Diksmuide)
Weekdays: 9.00 to 16.30
Weekends: 13:30 to 17:30
www.otter.be
GETTING THERE
You can get to Blankaart by public transport if you don't mind a little extra walking. Take the train to Diksmuide, then bus 30 from the station (direction Roeselare) to the centre of Woumen. (Get off at "Woumen station".) It's a 20-minute walk south on Iepersteenweg to the reserve. On weekdays,
there is a bus every hour; on weekends every two hours.
Flanders Today is a 
-8°C / -2°C
