Vrijgeweed walking route

‘Sy sullen mueghen hebben ende haelen eeuwick geduerende water ende gemene wede (…)’. The deed from 1424 is unambiguous: the Vrijgeweed was common property and the locals had unfettered access to the land and the water. Only the farmers had to pay a small fee for their use. It wasn’t until after the Second World War that this historic area became the subject of a land grab and was gradually reclaimed. Nice to know: back in 1842, a group of 244 families did try to purchase the ‘Vrijgeweed’, though to no avail.

We start our walk in Baliebrugge. The hamlet derives its name, which translates into Bar Bruges, from the many Vrijgeweed-related court cases that were held here. In the Ringbeek (stream) valley, we walk across unhardened paths through relatively open countryside. The shape of the former fishing ponds is still clearly visible in the low-lying fields. Bet that we’ll see a kestrel overhead before the day is out?

If you find this route too long, you can opt for a shorter loop of 7,1 km.