It just so happens – and bear with us here – that fresh air, exercise and beautiful scenery are a cure for the post-holiday blues. It’s a scientific fact that getting those endorphins going improves the mood.
In our quest for a happy Flanders, we welcome you to our four-part series on winterwandelingen (winter walks) around the region. This week: the beautiful (especially in winter) Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen nature reserve in Ghent.
Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen
In the western part of Ghent, just past an unsightly strip mall off Driepikkelstraat, lies the main entrance to Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, a 230-hectare natural oasis for wildlife and humans alike.
The city owns the majority of this property, which has been set aside as a nature and wildlife preserve. The city and Natuurpunt Ghent, a membership organisation dedicated to environmental conservation and education, have collaborated to build the area into an natural urban treasure.
My latest visit was a rare, sunny day in late December. It is striking to be within the bounds of such a picturesque and peaceful retreat within minutes of leaving hectic city streets. I chose a route (signposted at the entrance) that spanned all of the trails, circling along the perimeter of the park in a matter of a couple of hours.
There are six entrances to the park; if it’s your first visit, I suggest starting at the main entrance, which features a visitors’ centre that is equipped with loads of information about the reserve, as well as a cafeteria and toilets. Each access point has a map of the park’s three main footpaths, which range from two to 5.5 kilometres in length. The walks are estimated to take between one to two-and-a-half hours.
In December, the trails were snowy and icy. On warmer days in the winter and spring, that turns to mud, so I recommend waterproof boots (although I did see one woman strolling confidently in her high heels). All of the trails are relatively easy, making this a great place for a family outing. The western portion of the park has more flat and gravelly paths, and one of the trails – Meerskantpad – is handicap accessible. People with disabilities can get permission to use bikes in the reserve. Otherwise, biking is restricted to a specific section of the park (which is probably too small an area for a good ride).
The reserve is well used and appreciated by people of all ages: in the summer, it’s practically a social event wandering around with a huge portion of Gentenaars. Even now, despite the chilly conditions, I saw dozens of people – from families with children running around throwing snowballs to elderly couples quietly walking hand in hand.
The Leie River divides the natural area into two parts: the northern section is called the Bourgoyen, while Ossemeersen lies to the south. The landscape here is a valley with marshy grassland that is intersected by canals and ditches. The distinctive knot willow tree is a common sight along the trails, as are a wide variety of water birds.
Now is one of the best times to visit the Bourgoyen. Flooding makes this area a paradise for wintering waterfowl; it has been recommended as a Ramsar site – an area of international importance for wintering water birds – due to its population of slobeenden, or shovelers, a species of ducks.
There are two viewing huts in the reserve that offer excellent vantage points for bird watching and photography. Other birds you can expect to see in the winter are widgeon and teal ducks and the ruff, which wades around the waters. Natuurpunt Ghent keeps a regular tally of regional bird sightings on their website, including those within the reserve. The organisation also provide free tours through the Bourgoyen on the first Saturday of every month.
GETTING THERE
Entry to Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen is free, parking is available at the main entrance. Four points of entry have bike racks and are accessible by public transport:
Main entry Driepikkelstraat 32: bus 3 (stop Jutestraat)
Entry Mahatma Gandhistraat: bus 9/73 (stop Appelstraat)
Entry Bunderweg-Drongensesteenweg: bus 14/15/16/17/18 (stop Drongen Watersportbaan)
Entry Jean-Pierre Baudetlaan en Zandloperstraat: bus 9 (stop Vliegpleinkouter)
The main entrance of Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen allows easy access to the Natuur en Milieucentrum De Bourgoyen (Bourgoyen Nature and Environmental Centre), an impressive education centre that is jointly run by the city of Ghent and Natuurpunt Ghent. In this welcoming building, crafted with passive design principles, you learn about general conservation tips as well as the history and flora and fauna of the area.
The centre rents binoculars and provides access to an environmental education library. Information is all in Dutch, but the interactive exhibits are interesting even if you aren’t fluent.
You’ll also find a cafeteria on weekends, featuring a mix of organic and fair-trade drinks and snacks. It’s the perfect place to reward yourself after a long, chilly walk with a hot bowl of soup. Cosy up with some glühwein or hot chocolate, or choose from a respectable beer list that includes Gageleer – an organic Belgian brew.
www.gent.be/bourgoyen-ossemeersen
Flanders Today is a 
-8°C / -2°C
