Discover Hoek: history and walking routes

Hoek offers a range of ways to make the most of a stay: the village name tells the story of the dikes, its church history dates back to 1608, and the Ommetje Hoek leads through the village centre and a polder landscape. There are also historic sites and activities in the surrounding area. You can plan your trip around local history, walking routes or nature experiences.

Local history and Windlust

The name Hoek derives from its location at the intersection of three dikes: Molendijk, Langestraat and Noordstraat. Noordstraat is colloquially known as “Noorddiek”. The early history of the church is also linked to a meeting place: in 1608, a new church was built at Den Hoeck, where three roads converged. The church was later rebuilt and reopened on 11 December 2016.

Windlust, a grain mill dating from 1857, stands on Molenplein. It is a round, brick-built windmill with a gallery. Hoek Church stands very close to Windlust, so the two names go together when looking at the village’s buildings. Windlust is temporarily out of operation until its windshaft is replaced. Check the current status before visiting.

The Hoekse Feesten take place every year on Molenplein. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the event dates. This lets you take account of a recurring local event without assuming a specific date.

Walking routes, bridges and landscape

The Ommetje Hoek is a walking route through the village centre and a varied polder landscape. Along the way, it passes the historic Mauritsfort. South of Hoek, in the hamlet of Mauritsfort, are the remains of fortifications dating from the Eighty Years’ War. The village name, the history of the church’s construction and these fortification remains offer different points of interest in local history; they need not be combined into a single attraction.

As part of the Ommetje Hoek and the Hulst–Terneuzen walking network, a wooden footbridge was built opposite the Vremdieke care centre. It was opened on 28 October 2012. A bridge over the creek near Hoek has a movable section.

The Voorste Kreek was formed in 1542, when a side channel of the Braakman sea inlet was left inland during the reclamation of the Lovenpolder. There is a circular walking route around the Voorste Kreek, with lovely views of the creek. The story of its formation and the view of the water add two different perspectives to the walk: how the landscape changed and what it looks like today.

Activities in the surrounding area

Nearby, the Braakmanboerderij is a starting point for visiting the Braakman nature reserve. It has an information centre and offers various excursions. When planning your visit, you can distinguish this place from the walking routes in Hoek: here, the focus is on visiting the nature reserve and taking part in the excursions on offer.

Speelbos Braakman offers a nature-based play environment with climbing, den building and water play. Kabouterpad Braakman-Noord is a family trail of about 1,500 metres. It includes a story, activities for children and a surprise at the end. The two attractions therefore offer different experiences: Speelbos is centred on play activities, while Kabouterpad is designed as a trail with a story and activities.

De Hoekse Vliegers have their own winch for delta hang gliders at their site near Hoek. You can sign up with De Hoekse Vliegers for a winch weekend or another activity. The winch and the sign-up option describe different things: the club’s available equipment and the opportunity to register for an activity.

Discover more destinations: Axel, Philippine, Zaamslag, Biervliet, Westdorpe, Sluiskil, Terneuzen, Sas Van Gent.

Back to the main travel overview: Terneuzen.