Assels

Assels is a large meadow and nature area east of the centre of Drongen, a district of Ghent, occupying what is effectively an island enclosed by the river Leie and the Ringvaart canal. The area can only be reached by a single access road, a feature that for centuries kept it largely free from dense construction and left it as one of the last extensive open meadow landscapes right next to a major Belgian city.

Where does the name Assels come from?

Up until the 16th–17th century the area was still recorded under the name "Hasselt". Assels used to form part of the so-called Drongense Meersen, a section of the once very extensive belt of low-lying river meadows surrounding Ghent that was used for extensive cattle grazing. A large part of the land regularly flooded in winter, a typical feature of floodplain landscape along the Leie.

From the 14th century onward, individual reclamation farms were established here on behalf of Ghent's religious institutions — the Carthusians, the Benedictines of St Peter's Abbey, and the local leper house. Several historic farmsteads from this period survive to this day: the 'Goed der Assels' (15th century, according to local tradition once a residence of Erasmus of Rotterdam), the 'Goed ter Kaaksmete', also known as the Chartreuzenhof (16th century), and the late-medieval farms 'De Bunt', 'Rijke Gasthuis' and 'Hof ter Leien'.

How did the Assels landscape change over time?

A turning point in the area's history came with the construction of the Ghent–Bruges railway line in 1838, which physically split Assels into a northern and a southern part. After 1900 the area became easier to reach, allowing the residential neighbourhood of 'Afsnee-Drie-Leien' to develop. The rest of Assels, however, remained considerably more rural and saw far less new construction, with the exception of the 'Krommeham' district, built from 1975 onward in the southern part of Assels.

What makes Assels valuable for nature?

Today Assels is the largest nature area managed by Natuurpunt Regio Gent. The site functions as an important meadow habitat for birds: black-tailed godwits and lapwings breed here in spring, alongside species such as tufted duck, shoveler, sedge warbler and kingfisher. Its character as a 'meersengebied' — a periodically flooded river meadow — makes it valuable both ecologically and as a landscape.

Can you visit Assels on foot?

Yes — a signposted walking route, Drongen–De Assels, crosses the area. It is an easy 6.9 km hike with 43 m of elevation gain, typically taking about 1 to 1.5 hours. The route starts in Drongen and leads towards Afsnee along Assels and the scenic banks of the Leie, offering views over a typical Flemish landscape of green fields and the meandering river. The area is popular with walkers and birdwatchers looking for nature right at the edge of a major city.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Assels located? Within the city of Ghent, in the southern part of the Drongen district, on an island enclosed by the Ringvaart canal and two arms of the river Leie, between Drongen and Afsnee.

Is Assels a nature reserve? Yes, it is the largest nature area managed by Natuurpunt Regio Gent, and it is important for meadow birds.

Where does the name Assels come from? The area was formerly known as "Hasselt"; the name changed to its current form between the 16th and 17th centuries.

Can you reach it by car? The area can only be reached by a single access road, which historically limited construction there.