Paddenbroek

Paddenbroek is a small nature reserve in Berchem, a sub-municipality of Kluisbergen in the Flemish Ardennes, East Flanders, Belgium. Covering roughly 14 hectares of wetland, it is a remnant of the old course of the nearby River Scheldt, which left behind a marshy, low-lying valley that has kept its wetland character to this day.

Where does the name come from?

The name Paddenbroek derives from the toads ("pad" in Dutch) that gather here every year to spawn. The marshy ground has persisted for centuries, and it is precisely this waterlogged character that has made the area an important breeding site for amphibians.

What can visitors see on-site?

At the heart of the reserve lies a star-shaped water system: a central pond from which eight streams radiate outward. Until the 1980s the site was used for water extraction, before the municipality of Kluisbergen purchased it with nature conservation in mind. Today the area is jointly managed by the conservation organisation Natuurpunt, the municipality of Kluisbergen, and the Regionaal Landschap Vlaamse Ardennen.

What wildlife and plant life live here?

The wet meadows and reed beds of Paddenbroek provide habitat for numerous water-associated bird species, including the water rail, reed warbler and bluethroat, as well as the corncrake, tufted duck, redshank, snipe and teal, alongside the red-eyed damselfly. During a single "1000species" recording year, as many as 1,200 different species were documented here, including several rare ones. Characteristic plants of the star-shaped water body include marsh marigold, marsh ragwort and various sedge species typical of this kind of wetland.

How can you explore the reserve?

The easiest access to Paddenbroek is from Paddenstraat, where a small parking area with an information board is located. Further along stands a viewing hut, while a wooden boardwalk (knuppelpad) crosses the marshland in both directions, letting visitors take in the wetland without disturbing its sensitive habitats. Because of the waterlogged ground, walking is only possible along this boardwalk, so sturdy, water-resistant footwear is recommended.

A circular walking route of 4.2 km has also been laid out around the reserve, rated as easy with about 28 m of elevation gain, and typically completed in thirty minutes to an hour. The route follows and crosses the former Scheldt valley, offering views of the star-shaped water system and the surrounding marsh meadows.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see wildlife at Paddenbroek? Yes — it is an important breeding site for toads and frogs, and also hosts many wetland bird species, dragonflies and insects.

How long does a walk around Paddenbroek take? The loop around the reserve is 4.2 km long and usually takes between thirty minutes and an hour, depending on pace.

Where can you park to visit the reserve? The closest parking to the entrance of Paddenbroek is a small area on Paddenstraat, equipped with an information board.

Is the site accessible all year round? Because of the marshy ground, walking is only possible on the wooden boardwalk, so comfortable, waterproof footwear is advisable regardless of the season.