Schoonaarde - Wetteren (ca 25 km)

Far-ranging train disruptions limit the choices for this weekend - here a late proposal for a nice and flat hike through flemish wetlands this Sunday. We start at the station of Schoonaarde and cross the Schelde into some woods. Along an old meander of the Schelde we reach the Donkmeer, a large lake with a summer beach. From there we continue to Kalkense Meersen, a large and beautiful nature area with grassland, water and some open-air art. We end the hike in Wetteren, which should provide sufficient choice of place for a final drink/ice cream.

The number of participants is limited to 20, so please manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!).

We will try to keep somewhere close to an average speed of 4.5 to 5 km/h. We will walk both on paved and unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning (i.e. it may become longer ;-).

●●You can find the gpx track here:
kommot: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/986475602?share_token=a6QPrqXmM4QKOQ24NWgMm7yxp7REdTramG2suq35U8RF4bBF2a&ref=wtd&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&t_ref_username=472114460035
wiciloc: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/von-schoonaarde-nach-wetteren-266681186

●●Meeting point:
We meet at 9.05 in Bruxelles Central train station. Our train (IC 3209 to Dendermonde) leaves from platform 1 at 9.22. We change in Dendermonde and arrive in Schoonaarde at 10.09.

●● Train ticket:
BXL-Schoonarde 6.20 (3.70 with train+), Wetteren - BXL 6.60 (3.90 with train+)

●● Trains back to Brussels:
Four per hour, direct or via Gent or Dendermonde.

●● Specifics:
Distance: ~ 25 km
Elevation gain: up and down some dikes, otherwise flat as can be
Net walking time: ~ 5.5 h
Weather forecast: Significantly cooler, and should be mostly dry during the day, but some rain possible.

In the unlikely case of too bad weather, I may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, I will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the Meetup.com website and/or your emails.

●● What to bring:

• Comfortable hiking clothes
• Waterproof, comfortable hiking shoes
• sufficient water + food for the breaks
• Compeed for blisters
• Small change for the drink (cafes in the countryside do not necessarily take cards!)

●● Basic rules:
Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse.

Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list.

●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability:
You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability.