Relaxing in "Het Vinne"
April 13, 2009
I didn't really know what to expect but my mom told me it's nice there so I gave it a go. It was a surprisingly fun afternoon. I will write the more specific information about this place down in the review, yet most important to know that "Het Vinne" is a small lake full of cane and animals. There's hundreds of frogs and during spring the place is also swarmed with birds that fill the air with their "laughter". The scenery is quite different for Belgian standards, and very peaceful.
Because the lake is very small it makes a nice half day trip, easy to walk with children.
It was nice to have some sun today, as I'm still not over ending my Vietnam trip and tomorrow will be my first day back to work... I could use some distraction and I really didn't want to stay inside the house all the time. We had a great time. I recommend "Het Vinne" for anyone who is either very much into birdwatching, or just likes a peaceful stroll in relaxing scenery, or a day of with the kids, this is a perfect setting.
I know that not many foreign people visit the Belgian countryside, but I hope this blog may be useful to someone someday. We do have some nice Flemish scenery to offer really :) And the city of Zoutleeuw is also very nice, with a very old church and central square that both date back to the dark ages. A surprisingly nice place!
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Among the cane and birds
Het Vinne is a small natural reserve based around a little lake in Zoutleeuw, a city located in the East of Belgium (Flemish part). It therefore makes an easy daytrip from cities like Leuven, Tienen, Diest and Hasselt, or even from Brussels or Genk.
For long time (from 1841), this beautiful strip of nature was kept dry for economical reasons, but since 2005 it is filled with water again, as the government recognized it's important value for fauna and flora. The area is best visited in spring (late April to mid-May) because the plains and skies are then swarmed with birds. All year round though, Het Vinne makes a peaceful getaway to enjoy some rest, take a little walk, have a pick-nick and enjoy the scenery.
The area is only 130hc big and the short walk goes around the swampy fresh water lake full of cane and birds and frogs. It will take you about an hour, or little longer if you walk very slow or sit down on one of the many benches around the walking paths. It is an easy trip to make with children as well, as it is not at all tiering. Don't bring a baby buggy here though, as for most of the time the paths run over the water, next to the shore. This means you'll walk over narrow and bending wooden trails, among the cane and birds.
I think Het Vinne is a nice example of the Flemish landscape, although it is quite different from most other natural reserves. The water and the cane give it a flair that I have never found any where els in my country, and yet it feels so Belgian still. It is extremely peaceful, no sounds but the birds and the frogs.
When the weather is nice though, better visit in the morning or at lunchtime, as I think this place might get crowded with tourists. We're not used to see a lot of sun so when it does shine, we all go out at ones to enjoy the most of it :)
The reserve is open every day from sunrise to sunset, and the entrance is free. There is some parking space in front of the white farmhouse that marks the start and ending point of the walk and has a bistro/café in it to enjoy some beer or snacks. Don't expect this to be open every day from sunrise to dawn though, I don't know it's opening hours.
Inside there is a small exhibition about the reserve as well, which is also free but not open all week round. From April 1 to September 30 it is open from 2pm to 5pm every Wednesday to Sunday. From October 1 to March 31 it is open from 2pm to 5pm on Wednesdays and Sundays only.
Bikes are for rent but they cost 6 Euro for a full day, and are better not used for the route around the lake. The scenery around Zoutleeuw is though beautiful as well!
For long time (from 1841), this beautiful strip of nature was kept dry for economical reasons, but since 2005 it is filled with water again, as the government recognized it's important value for fauna and flora. The area is best visited in spring (late April to mid-May) because the plains and skies are then swarmed with birds. All year round though, Het Vinne makes a peaceful getaway to enjoy some rest, take a little walk, have a pick-nick and enjoy the scenery.
The area is only 130hc big and the short walk goes around the swampy fresh water lake full of cane and birds and frogs. It will take you about an hour, or little longer if you walk very slow or sit down on one of the many benches around the walking paths. It is an easy trip to make with children as well, as it is not at all tiering. Don't bring a baby buggy here though, as for most of the time the paths run over the water, next to the shore. This means you'll walk over narrow and bending wooden trails, among the cane and birds.
I think Het Vinne is a nice example of the Flemish landscape, although it is quite different from most other natural reserves. The water and the cane give it a flair that I have never found any where els in my country, and yet it feels so Belgian still. It is extremely peaceful, no sounds but the birds and the frogs.
When the weather is nice though, better visit in the morning or at lunchtime, as I think this place might get crowded with tourists. We're not used to see a lot of sun so when it does shine, we all go out at ones to enjoy the most of it :)
The reserve is open every day from sunrise to sunset, and the entrance is free. There is some parking space in front of the white farmhouse that marks the start and ending point of the walk and has a bistro/café in it to enjoy some beer or snacks. Don't expect this to be open every day from sunrise to dawn though, I don't know it's opening hours.
Inside there is a small exhibition about the reserve as well, which is also free but not open all week round. From April 1 to September 30 it is open from 2pm to 5pm every Wednesday to Sunday. From October 1 to March 31 it is open from 2pm to 5pm on Wednesdays and Sundays only.
Bikes are for rent but they cost 6 Euro for a full day, and are better not used for the route around the lake. The scenery around Zoutleeuw is though beautiful as well!
