Hoofdplaat: Nature, Trails and Local History

Hoofdplaat brings together nature around the Hooge Platen, walking and cycling trails, and local heritage sites. When planning your stay, it makes a difference whether you mainly want to watch birds and seals, choose a particular route, or explore local history. Low tide, high tide and the weather each play a different role.

Nature at the Hooge Platen

At low tide, the Hooge Platen cover around 1,800 hectares of mudflats and sandbanks. They are an important resting, feeding and breeding area for birds, fish and seals. The flats themselves are not accessible; you can view them from the dike, from the bird hide near Nummer Een, or during a boat trip on the Westerschelde. Before setting out, check conditions for your chosen viewpoint or trip.

The pier at Hoofdplaat also offers a good view of the Hooge Platen, where various birds and seals can be spotted. Sightings vary by season and are not guaranteed. Another natural highlight is the Inlaag Hoofdplaat: the many shells in the former seabed give it a calcareous character. Its notable plants include zilt torkruid, zilte rus, zilte zegge, Groenknolorchis, vleeskleurige orchis and kleinbloemige salie.

Trails and weather-dependent destinations

“’t Ommetje” is a 6 km walking trail around Hoofdplaat. In 2007, the route won the “’t Mooiste ommetje van Zeeland” competition. The cycle and walking path outside the dike between Hoofdplaat and Nummer Een is used for walking and cycling. This gives you the choice of a walking route with a stated distance or a trail for both activities. High water can affect conditions on the path outside the dike; check them before setting out.

The beach at Hoofdplaat is an artificial beach used by residents and visitors in fine weather. If you plan to go, take the weather into account and check current conditions.

Local history and memorial sites

The N.H. Kerk in Hoofdplaat was built between 1783 and 1785. At the memorial site by the Spuikom, there is also the sculpture “Vreemde vogel”, designed by J. Boekhout. Both places offer insight into different aspects of Hoofdplaat’s history and commemorative traditions.

The annual Bevrijdingsmars Hoofdplaat–Knokke starts at the Oorlogsmonument Spuikom in early November. The route is about 33 km long. If you are staying in early November, the march is a recurring event whose timing differs from that of the individual sights.

Another local story is connected with the chapel “Onze Lieve Vrouw van de Zaterdag”. After Hoofdplaat escaped the 1953 storm, Catholic residents built the chapel. Together with the church, memorial site and sculpture, this story represents one of several historical points of reference in the village.

Discover more destinations: Eede, Ijzendijke, Aardenburg, Sint Kruis, Sluis, Cadzand-Bad, Nieuwvliet-Bad, Zuidzande.

Return to the main travel overview: Sluis.