Belfort Tower, De Panne — Cabour Dune Ridge
De Panne sits at the western end of the Flemish Coast, and behind the town the Westhoek Nature Reserve holds the largest and wildest dune system in Belgium — a rolling inland sea of sand where the highest ridges lift you above the tree line for an unobstructed view stretching from the French border dunes to the glittering North Sea. No ticket, no crowds, just a short hike and an enormous sky.
The Westhoek dune landscape
The Westhoek covers about 340 hectares of parabolic dunes, some rising to over 30 metres — genuinely tall by Belgian standards. The interior valleys shelter rare orchids, natterjack toads and Dartford warblers, while the exposed crests are scoured bare by the prevailing south-westerly wind, giving them the raw, almost lunar quality of a much wilder coastline.
The main ridge running parallel to the beach offers the best panoramic viewpoint: on a clear day you can see the dune hills of the French Côte d'Opale beyond Bray-Dunes, and on the other side the long straight beach of De Panne disappearing north toward Koksijde. It is the kind of view that resets your sense of scale.
How to explore
From the De Panne tram stop walk west along the Dynastielaan toward the Westhoek car park (free); from there a marked trail climbs to the main ridge in about 20 minutes. The full circular route is 6 km and takes roughly 90 minutes at a relaxed pace.
Sunset is the prime time: the low Atlantic light turns the sand amber and the shadows in the blow-outs deepen dramatically. Bring a windproof layer even in July — the ridge is fully exposed and the breeze off the Channel is persistent.
More of Belgian Coast (Flemish Coast)
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Belgian Coast (Flemish Coast) →
