Hiking on Walcheren

Walcheren is ideal for a long day of walking. This route takes you through the polder and through nature reserve De Manteling. You will encounter plenty of sights along the way.

Threshing floor full of confetti
After a few kilometers you will see Meliskerke in the distance, the village described by Franca Treur in her novel'A threshing floor full of confetti\\\'. Here you see the Meliskerke, a flour mill from 1801. The route leads you further through the wide and quiet polder. A wonderful route to get a breath of fresh air. At Wijngaard Westerhoeve you can stock up on real Zeeland wine.

The Mantle
A little later you walk into the quiet woods of De Manteling. Hardly anywhere else in Europe do deciduous trees grow so close to the coast as here. But with a price: many trees are no higher than one meter. Their wings are clipped by the cutting westerly wind and the drifting salt. You pass the Duinbeek estate, in Grijpskerke you pass't Welvaaren, a flour mill from 1801.

Estate Duinbeek
Landgoed Duinbeek is one of the many moments to get your camera out, if you have one with you. The history of Landgoed Duinbeek goes back to at least 1350. What was once a fortress to defend against the Vikings, developed into a hunting lodge that was bought in 1567 by none other than King Philip II of Spain. The Geuzen did not like this: they leveled the country estate in 1572. The current Duinbeek dates from 1715. It is a beautiful mansion with a characteristic tower and park-like garden.