Created by man and nature
Around 1200 the “Zak van Zuid-Beveland” was a landscape of old peat bogs and younger salt marshes and mud flats without dikes. The area was trapped between the tidal channels “Sloe”, “Schenge” and the “Honte”, the forerunner of the Western Scheldt. By embanking the highest parts, the first small polders were created. After 1300 the new salt marshes along the dikes, created by ebb and flood, were gradually reclaimed. This caused the “Zak van Zuid-Beveland” to grow to its present size.
Western Scheldt
Landscape of salt marshes and mud flats
The Western Scheldt is the only estuary in Zeeland/Schelde Delta that was not dammed during the construction of the Delta Works. As a result, the tide has free rein, creating an enormous area of salt marshes and mud flats. The mud flats are full of worms and shellfish: a meal on wheels for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. The salt marshes and mud flats of the Western Scheldt show what part of the “Zak van Zuid-Beveland” looked like 800 years ago.
Zwaakse Weel
Creek remnant and natural pearl
The Zwaakse Weel was formerly a tidal channel created during a storm surge in 1014. The channel the "Zwake" divided “Zuid-Beveland” into several new islands. Starting in 1445, this tidal channel was gradually dammed and reclaimed and thus closed off from the Western Scheldt. Since then, the tide in the "Zwake" has disappeared. Now this creek remnant lies like a blue pearl of nature meandering through a part of the “Zak van Zuid-Beveland”.
De Poel
The old land of former times
De Poel is an idyllic small-scale landscape of meadows, thickets and pollard willows. It is one of the oldest polders in the “Zak van Zuid-Beveland” and a remnant of a 4,000-year-old peat bog. The uneven ground of the meadows was created by former marsh mining (extraction of peat for salt and fuel). They are a major attraction for meadow birds and white-fronted geese.
Nieuwland
Winding dikes with welen (kolk holes)
The gradual reclamation after 1300 is still clearly visible today in the “Zak van Zuid-Beveland” due to the numerous winding dikes. This created new land. Where a dike breached due to a storm surge, a deep kolk hole was created. Often the dike was repaired by placing it around the kolk hole. This is how the round lakes were created right next to the dikes. These are called "welen" in Zeeland.
Scan the QR-code or check nm.nl/routes and choose the route which you want to hike. Along the way you will receive fun nature and culture facts.
The Western Scheldt, Oudland area de Poel, and Kolk lakes of Zuid-Beveland are geosites in the aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark Schelde Delta. Learn more at scheldedelta.eu
Tips form the forester
Border lime trees (grenslinden)
Border lime trees are one of the oldest trees in the “Zak van Zuid-Beveland”. They marked property boundaries or weak spots in dikes. Most of Zeeland's border lime trees, about 250, are in the “Zak van Zuid-Beveland”. For biodiversity, the lime tree is very important. Numerous bumble-bees, bees, and hoverflies descend on its fragrant nectar.
Little owl
The little owl is a lover of the small-scale cultivated landscape. Zeelanders call him “poepuul”, because of his elongated call "pooep". With this he lures a partner and defends his nesting place. During the day you can see it basking in the sun in a gnarled tree or on a barn.
Green Woodpecker
With its long sticky tongue, it drills holes in the ground to catch ants. Green woodpeckers can be found everywhere in the "Zak van Zuid-Beveland". In late winter and spring they are very noisy as they argue over the best nest trees. The laughter of the green woodpecker cannot be missed then.
Legend
Hiking trailsBloemendijken: 4,5 km Riding-trails |
Bike and mountain bike routesBike route Historical landscape Borsele |
Surface of paths and surroundingsPaved road |
Nature is there for you
Nature is not something we take for granted. We work hard to protect it and design it so that you can enjoy it. To gain energy, catch your breath and exercise. You can contribute too! Register as a member at www.nm.nl/leden/zee or scan the QR code.