FAQ
Many of your questions have already been asked by other visitors. We have listed the answers below for you. Is your question not listed? Feel free to contact us, we are happy to help you further!
The area
No, smoking is not allowed. A general smoking ban applies in all forests that are managed by the Flemish government.
Unfortunately, more garbage cans does not mean less waste, on the contrary. Waste often ends up next to it or animals such as crows and foxes pull the trays empty in search of food. That is why we ask you to just take your waste home again and to keep nature clean together.
There is a dog waste post at the Zedelgem reception gate at Parking P2 and there is a garbage bin at reception gate Jabbeke.
In Vloethemveld, dogs are welcome in the publicly accessible forest. However, keep them on a leash at all times. Other animals and people will be grateful to you.
Dogs are not allowed in Camp Vloethemveld, the quiet area and the reception building.
We also like to refer to the dog-walking meadow along the Diksmuidse Heirweg in Zedelgem. Perfect space to let them run loose there and get to know other dog owners.
There are special picnic spots, at both reception gates and in the play forest. They are indicated on the hiking maps and information boards. Don't forget to take all your waste home again, because there are no garbage cans in the area. This way we keep nature clean together!
The breeding season officially runs from 1 April to 1 August. During this period, birds raise their young, but also young hares, rabbits and deer fawn take their first steps in the world. According to the Nature Protection Act, it is forbidden to disturb nests, eggs and young animals. That is why it is extra important to stay on the paths and keep your dog on a short leash. In this way we give nature the peace she needs and we help young animals to grow safely.
There is a public and wheelchair -accessible toilet at every reception gate of Vloethemveld.
• Reception gate Jabbeke: Aartrijksesteenweg 167
• Reception gate Zedelgem: Vloethemveld 10a
Do you want to see the heath at its best? Then you have to come between August 15 and September 15. The flowering depends a bit on the weather, so with an extremely dry or wet summer it can be a little earlier or later.
In Vloethemveld you will find a lot of special species, such as the greenshank, the spotted orchis, stiff eyedroot, sundew and wolf's claw (only in the quiet area). The Lousewort, recumbent wing flower and the three heather species can also be spotted here, with the red heath as the real topper!
Not everywhere. In the forest you have to stay on the paths, but in the special play areas children are allowed to romp around. The Vloethemveld play forest can be found at the Zedelgem reception gate (Diksmuidse Heirweg 6). It is indicated on the overview map at the reception gates.
Do you want to know more about playing in forests in Flanders and also discover other play forests? Then view the details here.
You can find more info here.
Recreation and routes
Yes and yes! All walking routes are clearly indicated with colored icons, so that you can follow your way without worries. At every entrance gate and every starting point you will find an overview map with all routes. Do you want to take a hiking map with you? It is available for free in the reception building and at the town halls of Jabbeke and Zedelgem. Prefer an extensive map of the entire Walking Network Vloethemveld? You can buy it there or order it online via this link.
Yes, but only on the Forest route (42 or 34 km), which runs through Vloethemveld. On the sandy road to Aartrijke you will also find a Fun Park, a technical mountain bike trail with challenges for beginners and slightly advanced riders. Stay on the marked routes and take other visitors into account, because on some points different recreationalists cross each other.
It is best to start at the Jabbeke welcome park, which is equipped to welcome riders and horses, including a drinking trough and space for a horse van.
The equestrian network of Jabbeke and Zedelgem runs through the northern part of Vloethemveld. Consult the map for the location of the bridle paths. They mainly walk on - partly unpaved - public roads through the Vloethemveld (Snellegemdreef, Vloethemveld, Vloethemveldstraat, Zandweg to Aartrijke) but also through forest drives such as the Polderdreef. In total there is 7.5 km bridle path in Vloethemveld.
Please note that works still need to take place on the Jabbeke side in 2025-2026.
Not everywhere. In the forest you have to stay on the paths, but in the special play areas children are allowed to romp around. The Vloethemveld play forest can be found at the Zedelgem reception gate (Diksmuidse Heirweg 6). It is indicated on the overview map at the reception gates. Do you want to know more about playing in forests in Flanders and also discover other play forests? Then view the details here.
Recordings and drones
Yes, however, it is mandatory to request permission at least seven days in advance from the Agency for Nature and Forest via the Film counter. Professional recordings are always paying. Preconditions are also imposed in order not to damage nature.
Nice that you want to capture nature! Respect the environment: stay on the paths and make sure you don't disrupt anything. Feel free to share your photos on social media with #vloethemveld, we are happy to watch!
No, drones are not allowed here.
Events and activities
The reception square is reserved for public recreational, cultural or meeting activities where no strengthened music is used above 85 decibels. It only concerns activities that are linked to the area and the region because of their nature, historical or recreational impact, preferably with a link to the publicity of the Vloethemveld.
A maximum of 15 events can be organized per year. An application must be directed to info@vloethemveld.be.
You can find the user regulations here.
The Kamphuis is available for recognized nature and heritage associations of Jabbeke and Zedelgem. View the regulations here.
First read the conditions via this link.
Once you have permission from the Nature and Forest Agency, you are still asking the municipal authorities. For territory Zedelgem you do that via this link . For Jabbeke contact gemeentehuis@jabbeke.be
Any questions about this? Mail to info@vloethemveld.be
Heritage
In 1924 there were 217 stone ammunition bars in the ammunition depot, in 1936 there were 223, and in the 1980s there were even 284.
The first forest ranger of Vloethemveld was appointed in 1776 and lived in the Hoeve Vier Eycken, which stands in the middle of Vloethemveld, on the border of Jabbeke and Zedelgem.
This farm in the middle of Camp Vloethemveld was built by the Sint-Janshospitaal in the 18th century, as a home for the supervisors of the reclamation works in Vloethemveld. She took her name from Saturnin Bocca, the Belgian soldier who was a supervisor at the design of the ammunition depot. The Bocca was then used by the soldiers as a mess for the non -commissioned officers.
No, these were not there yet. Maps and aerial photos showed that they were only built after the use of Vloethemveld as a prisoner of war camp.
Group visit with guide
The nature walks with guide are approximately 3 km long and last about 2.5 hours. A perfect way to discover nature in peace!
Yes, you can! Just request it from your guide application. The costs are 20 euros per hour, and that is for the reimbursement of the volunteer that guides you.
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