Koewacht is a center of flax culture and also the starting point for the 3.9-kilometer De Vennepad circular trail. The trail leads from the town center to De Vennen and along the banks of the Boschkreek.

Flax History at the 't Vlasschuurken Museum

The 't Vlasschuurken Museum presents the history of flax processing in the setting of a traditional Zeeland-Flemish flax scutching room. Its subject matter ranges from cultivation and processing techniques to the use of flax over the centuries. The exhibitions cover historical and modern flax products, as well as the effects of the flax industry on the local community. A permanent exhibition is also devoted to the history of the Vlasroterij Sint Andries. If you are planning your visit specifically to see this exhibition, check in advance whether it has since changed.

Walking Trails of Various Lengths

The De Vennepad combines several landscape features in one circuit: the trail runs from the town center to De Vennen, follows the banks of the Boschkreek, and crosses the waterway by an adventurous hand-pulled ferry. The route returns to Koewacht via the Tragel, passing between a few willow pastures. The trail is 3.9 kilometers long. Before setting out, check the route conditions and local trail availability.

For a longer walk, choose the Boom- en fortendijken trail. It passes the Koewacht air watchtower and is available in 5-, 12- and 17-kilometer variants. The Langs Linies en Kreken walking network lets you walk from one junction to another in the area around Koewacht. South of the town, the Karnemelkpolder has walking trails and a walking connection to Perenboomsgat. Check the route conditions there, too, before setting out.

Landscape Between Waterways and Willow Pastures

The Zoute Vaart, a ditch or waterway east of the Tragel, forms the border with Belgium. Remnants of a small-scale cultural landscape have been preserved between the Tragel and the town center: pollarded willows stand among the pastures, as they did before the land consolidation of the late 1960s. The Boschkreek also connects the landscape with natural history. Its improved water quality has benefited fish species such as the spined loach and the sunbleak.

Memorial Sites and Historical Traces

At Kerkplein 2, the war memorial plaque is located beside the Roman Catholic church. The church is listed as a gemeentelijk monument, or municipal monument. The remains of fortifications around Koewacht are part of the Staats-Spaanse Linies, historic defense lines dating from the Eighty Years' War.

The Koewacht air watchtower is described as the tallest in the Netherlands and stands more than 21 meters high. Its historical context includes Ring 3 (Breda), Sector T, and its role as Tower 1 of the Koewacht, Kloosterzande and Nieuw-Namen triangle. Its call sign was 3T1. The tower offers another point of connection if you would like to combine the walking trails with the history of the region.

More Planning Details

The municipal outdoor swimming pool in Koewacht measures 40 by 25 meters. If it is being renovated, check the dimensions again before your visit. The Internationale Meikermismarkt Koewacht is announced for the first Sunday in May 2027 as its 41st edition. If you are timing your trip to coincide with the market, check the date again before making plans.

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

Back to the main travel overview: Terneuzen.