Schuddebeurze

Schuddebeurze is a small but ecologically significant nature reserve east of Lombardsijde, a village belonging to the coastal municipality of Middelkerke in the Belgian province of West Flanders. Covering roughly 36 hectares, the site is managed by Natuurpunt, the Flemish nature conservation organisation.

What are the inland dunes of Schuddebeurze?

The area consists of a complex of lime-poor inland dunes that formed near the mouth of the river IJzer. These dunes are around a thousand years old, and over that long stretch of time the lime has been almost entirely leached out of the sand, leaving behind acidic soil. This gradual process gave rise to a rare and highly specific type of vegetation: dune heathland.

Which species live here?

The acidic, nutrient-poor grasslands and heaths support rare plants such as subterranean clover, stemless carline thistle and gorse. Bell heather and fescue grasses dominate the ground cover, while patches of creeping willow and spindle shrubland provide breeding habitat for nightingales. Among the insects, the silver-studded blue butterfly stands out as a hallmark species of this habitat type. A small stream, the Schuddebeurzebeek, rises within the dunes and drains the entire area.

What is the history of this place?

Schuddebeurze's history is closely tied to both World Wars. During the First World War the area sat directly on the front line and endured heavy shelling, which turned the landscape into a cratered, shattered terrain — traces of that bombardment are still visible in the ground today. During the Second World War, German forces built extensive defensive works here, including massive bunkers. The surviving network of trenches and bunkers is now regarded as one of the best-preserved of its kind on the entire Belgian coast and is protected as heritage. The abandoned wartime structures have since become a refuge for a colony of bats, adding further ecological value to the site.

Is restoration work underway?

Yes. A nature restoration project aims to reconnect and strengthen the old dune landscape, linking acidic dune grasslands, heathland, damp dune slacks and shrubland into a single continuous mosaic of habitats, benefiting the rare plant and animal species that depend on them.

Can visitors explore Schuddebeurze?

The reserve is open to visitors via a network of marked walking paths, and guided excursions are also organised. A highlight for visitors is a viewing platform built on top of one of the former war bunkers, offering a view over the dunes, heathland and remaining fortifications.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Schuddebeurze located? East of the village of Lombardsijde, in the municipality of Middelkerke, on the Belgian North Sea coast.

How large is the area? Around 36 hectares.

What is the main natural attraction here? Acidic inland dune heathland with rare plants, a population of silver-studded blue butterflies, and a bat colony living in the old bunkers.

Are there still traces of the World Wars? Yes, trenches and a bunker system from both wars, including one of the best-preserved examples on the coast.

Can the reserve be visited independently? Yes, via marked walking paths; there is also a viewing platform on top of a former bunker.