Across the border, along the water and back

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 over the salt marsh. In the Zwin Visitor Center, where the cycle route takes you, you can find out everything about this beautiful nature reserve. Along the way you will see a round brick mill hull in Cadzand. This dates from 1848 and, despite the fact that the mill has been dismantled, you may still recognize the type: the Aalbrechtse Mill was a ground sailor. This was once a windmill that ground wheat. What is special about the mill is that it was equipped with a chain wheel, which was only installed in mills in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and East Flanders. Around 1920 this gate was replaced by a tail gate and the mill has been dismantled since 1931. Later the hood was also dismantled. In 2013, the striking structure serves as a holiday home. A nice stop in Sluis is the Agrimuda Regional Agricultural Museum. Get off your bike here to stretch your legs and take a look at the museum, which shows you everything about the history of agriculture and the life of farmers a century ago.