Cadzand-Bad, Knokke-Heist and Retranchement

Explore the estuary of the Western Scheldt between Cadzand-Bad and Retranchement and cycle through the Het Zwin nature reserve. With 75 hectares, this is not a huge nature reserve, but the small scale is cute and the openness that the Kievittepolder brings makes the area unique. Behind a massive row of dunes you will find a salt marsh area, which is directly connected to the sea by the Zwingeul. Salicornia and sea lavender grow in abundance in this salt marsh and in the summer they bring beautiful colors to the nature reserve. Other salt-loving plants such as beach nursery, salt marsh and sea beet also do well, as does the yellow horned poppy. It is therefore not surprising that birds such as the redshank, the avocet and the oystercatcher like to breed in the area. With a bit of luck you will also see the little egret hunting across the salt marsh. Not only beautiful nature, but also a nice piece of cultural history is offered to you in the form of the Retranchement mill. The Retranchementse Molen is a wooden post mill that was built in 1818. There has been a mill on this site since 1643, but the Retranchementse Mill was only built after its predecessor was blown down. The grist and peel mill is covered with shales and has a radius of more than twenty meters. The open post mill can still be used. A volunteer miller regularly puts it into operation to grind grain.