Nature reserve "The Westhoek" (De Panne, Belgium)
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General information about Nature Reserve "The Westhoek"
The dune reserve, now more generally called "nature reserve", "De Westhoek" is a real must: 350 hectares, beautifully restored and you can still see some authentic sand dunes. These sand dunes are being systematically overgrown by new vegetation. This is due to changing climatic factors and the decrease in the number of... rabbits, yep! The Flemish government, especially the Forest & Nature Agency, did take some measures to make the siltation take place again. More than 400 species of plants were mapped. This area is even European protected ( Natura 2000 area).
The area, which was already protected as a landscape in 1935, connects directly to the water reclamation area "Krakeelduinen" and the Calmeynbos. Together, this makes up the largest contiguous piece of nature on the Flemish coast. There are several hiking trails and you can easily walk from one area to another. If you want a good idea of the totality, allow only half a day. This area is always freely accessible between sunrise and sunset. With the tides of the Sea you should not take into account because there is no direct connection between this area and the North Sea.
Three vantage points (viewing platforms) have been set up: they give a nice view of the entire nature reserve ... and, unfortunately, the high-rise buildings of De Panne & Plopsaland. There is one area that is completely free: a centrally located play area. Consult this map of the nature reserve "The Westhoek". If you are a bit lucky, you can also spot Scottish Highlanders and King Horses there.
Visitor tips Nature Reserve "The Westhoek"
General tips:
1) if you are looking for other nearby attractions, consult our Tourist map of Top.Vlaanderen.
2) You can consult our overview lists: by category ( e.g. timeline, size, ...) or by region
3) You can also always consult tourist services: see our overview of tourist services
Tip 1: Don't be put off by the wind: the blowing sand produces more than beautiful pictures. Do protect your photographic equipment in that case, because sand literally crawls into everything 😉 . Take a hermetically sealable plastic bag for this purpose, for example.
Tip 2: did you know that within walking distance is the Visitor Center Duinpanne is located (initiative of the West Flanders provincial government)?
Tip 3: You can combine this visit with a visit to the Dumont district of De Panne or the Houtsaeger Dunes.
Tip 4: This dune area flows seamlessly into the so-called "Les Dunes des Flandre". The dune massif of the Nature Reserve "The Westhoek" continues into France via Bray-Dunes to Zuydcoote. It was recognized as a "Grand Site de France" in 2025. So you can actually just hike through the reserve all the way to Bray-Dunes and beyond.
Tip 5: Besides this ordinary dune area, in Adinkerke (De Panne) you also have the so-called fossil dunes. These are called the Cabourduinen called. Worth a visit: the dunes are several thousand years old and there is ecological grazing.
Tip 6: If you have children or are visiting family, then a trip to Plopsaland is also an option! Plopsaland is magically lit up in the evening and is sometimes open during the winter months, for example during Halloween and Christmas.
Geographical information
Address: Ligusterpad, De Panne, West Flanders, Belgium
Geographical coordinates:
- Google Maps: Latitude = 51.0859607 - Longitude = 2.5644017
- Open Street Maps: Latitude = 51.08533 - Longitude = 2.56454
- Altitude h = 9 m
Indication of Nature Reserve "De Westhoek" on:
Tourist map of Top.Vlaanderen - Google Maps - OpenStreetMap.
Route to Nature Reserve "De Westhoek": Route via Google Maps
Internet information from and about Nature Reserve "The Westhoek"
Designation of the Provincial visitor center "Duinpanne" on Google Maps.
Website of Nature & Forest Agency.
Info in Wikipedia.
Tourism Department "Visit De Panne"
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Tourism "The Coast (Westtoer)
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Our photos about Nature Reserve "The Westhoek"
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Photos from Jan. 22, 2024 (stormy day)
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Spherical 360° photos
Want to know how such a spherical 360° photo is taken, check out our special page on the subject: "Taking a spherical 360° photo".
360° photos from May 15, 2020:
- 360° photo of one of the two vantage points (May 15, 2020)
- 360° photo (May 15, 2020)
- 360° photo (May 15, 2020)
- 360° photo (May 15, 2020)
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