Walk Local with Bieke Depoorter

“Enjoy the silence” is a unique walk that really comes into its own after sunset. Experience the wonderfully lit city of Ghent through the eyes of Bieke Depoorter. 

Bieke Depoorter (1986) is an award-winning Ghent photographer and member of the famous photographic cooperative Magnum, founded in 1947 by Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson, among others. Bieke has won several awards such as the Magnum Expression Award, The Larry Sultan Award and Prix Levallois. In these four books – Ou Menya, I am About to Call it a Day, As it May Be, and Sète #15 – you can admire her evocative photographs.

13.5 km - 21.000 steps

For me, this visual exploration of Ghent is also a journey through time. I will take you to some places that actually mean a lot to me. Our walk begins in Ghent’s city centre, near the old academy where I completed my studies. At the Graslei and the Korenlei, you can admire beautiful façades that cast perfect reflections of themselves in the river Lys. You then cross the Lys and pass the Appelbrugparkje, a park that's tucked away right in the heart of the city. After crossing the Castle of the Counts, dive into Oudburg and the Patershol via the beautifully lit Kraanlei. Turn onto the Zuivelbrug and discover a historic part of Ghent that lies in parallel with Oudburg. There, you will have a direct view of the old 18th-century factory buildings, which are now occupied by a hotel and youth centre. Stroll on through the Patershol and imagine yourself in the Middle Ages for a while. That can get a bit spooky! You're now gradually leaving Ghent city centre behind and are heading north, passing the beautiful weeping willows on the Lievekaai, a place where I often went to study. At a brisk walking pace, continue along Sint-Antoniuskaai towards Rabot, a truly working-class neighbourhood ‘guarded’ by its two 15th-century towers.

After passing along Sleepstraat, which is full of delicious restaurants and retail shops, you will enter De Muide and discover the Voorhavenlaan, which is home to such eye-catching buildings as Loods 22. No time to lose! Walk through the landscaped Kapitein Zeppos Park, with its gigantic beach(!), you will end up on the strip between the Houtdok and the Dampoort district that is also THE hot spot for walkers and cyclists. One you've arrived at the Dampoort, lose yourself in the area around the trendy Portus Ganda, where you can take in the expansive view while enjoying a bottle of fine wine! You will pass Coyendanspark, Astridpark, Bijgaarde Park, Arbed Park & Keizer Park. Always eat your greens & love your parks. Take a moment to marvel at the skaters or make your way back to the city centre along the Visserij.