Tour of Berlare: along the Scheldt and Donkmeer

The Scheldeland is a beautiful region for cycling. Centrally located in Flanders between the cities of Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels, the area extends over parts of the provinces of Antwerp and East Flanders. There are 30 cities and municipalities to be found, each with their own charm. With this route you cycle around Berlare, a region known for the vast Donkmeer, its gastronomy and the peaceful green surroundings. It is also worth diving into the town. The most striking sights are the striking Sint-Martinus church, the pillory in front of the town hall and the castle. The castle park is accessible, nice to take a look. You cycle a long way along the beautiful river Scheldt, before you turn off towards Kalken. Here you cycle through a large meadow area along the Scheldt, the Kalkense Meersen. In this humid area you will find sandy dunes with fields between the grasslands. Nature management ensures that the species-rich grasslands and rare breeding birds are preserved. The most striking breeding bird here is the black-tailed godwit; if you cycle through here in the spring, you might hear its shrill call. Kalken itself is an old town with a history that goes back to the 12th century, when it was still called Calkine. The name is said to be derived from the word Kalekinion, which stands for a settlement in the bend of a river. At the end of the 18th century, Kalken was an independent miniature state with its own prince, the lord of the village. In Kalken, take a look at the St. Denis Church on the village square, with its octagonal church tower dating from the 13th century. Over time, more and more has been added, resulting in a very special building. The Scheldt has had a strong influence on this area. Time and again, the river slowly changed its course. After thousands of years, the old Scheldt arm was filled with peat, which was extracted by the people of Berlare at the end of the 17th century to heat their homes. Later it became a flood plain of the Scheldt, the pits filled up and thus the vast Donkmeer was created - donk is derived from the Germanic dunga; marshy area. The Donkmeer is famous throughout Flanders and the main attraction in this area. Around the lake you will find many taverns and restaurants, a lovely place to eat something after a bike ride. The regional specialty is eel. You can also take a ferry to the Eendenkooi or - from spring to autumn - stroll over the market. And then you follow the water, with a short rural shortcut, back to the Scheldt where it all began.