Reytmeersen

Reytmeersen is a nearly 47-hectare nature reserve stretching along the right bank of the Scheldt river in Oudenaarde, East Flanders. The site sits between the "Ohio" bridge near Nederename to the south and an old Scheldt meander near Welden to the north.

Where does the name come from?

The name derives from "meersen," a Dutch word for low-lying, marshy meadows. Decades ago this stretch of the river valley was earmarked for industrial development — in the 1980s the ground was even raised with fill to prepare it for construction. The building projects never materialized, though, and the abandoned land was gradually reclaimed by nature, turning wild on its own.

How did Reytmeersen become a reserve?

That natural comeback became obvious enough that in 1999 the area was officially designated a protected nature reserve. Since 2003 it has been owned and managed by the Agency for Nature and Forests (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos), the Flemish government body responsible for maintaining the grazing regime, trails and habitat protection here.

What can visitors see?

The landscape is a patchwork of wild meadows, reed beds, willow groves and open grassland. Galloway cattle and Konik horses graze freely across the site, keeping the vegetation in check and helping rarer plant species thrive in the open spaces they create.

This mix of habitats makes Reytmeersen a rewarding spot for birdwatching. Species recorded here include the marsh tit, sparrowhawk, bluethroat, marsh harrier, coot, and house swallow, which hunts for insects over the water and meadows.

How to explore the reserve?

The Agency for Nature and Forests has laid out two walking trails within the grazing area, plus a third route just outside it, east of the old Scheldt meander. The paths are unpaved but mown regularly, keeping them accessible for most of the year.

Visitors can explore on foot, by bike, or on horseback — the reserve is popular with walkers, cyclists and riders from nearby stables alike. Because livestock graze freely across the site, dogs are not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

Can you cycle through Reytmeersen? Yes, cycling routes run alongside the walking trails through the reserve, following the course of the Scheldt.

Are dogs allowed? No — because cattle and horses graze freely on the site, dogs are not permitted inside the reserve.

Who manages Reytmeersen? Since 2003 the area has been managed by Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos, the Flemish government agency for nature and forests.

Why was the land raised with fill in the past? The ground was built up in the 1980s in preparation for planned industrial development that ultimately never went ahead.

Which animals graze the meadows? Galloway cattle and Konik horses maintain the open landscape, grazing here as part of the reserve's long-standing natural management approach.