Den Dotter
Encyclopedia
Den Dotter is a 205 hectare nature reserve in the sub-municipalities of Aaigem
(municipality Erpe-Mere
) and Heldergem (municipality Haaltert
) in the East Flemish Denderstreek
. It's a swampy, almost uninhabited area, with the central brook (beek) Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek, named for its numerous mills (molens).
The Dotter is crossed by several hiking and cycleways, the hiking path "Den Dotter" starts at the Church of Aaigem. The path's distance is 10 km and at the district of Gotegem, there is an old mill that can be visited. The steam follows an erratic course and has a lush flora of over 300 species of plants. A paved road runs through the area to avoid visitor's getting wet feet when walking.
The management is primarily engaged in harvesting and replanting of trees, provide good drainage and mowing lawns with the ubiquitous marsh marigold
. Marsh marigold means dotterbloem (bloem meaning flower) in Dutch and so Den Dotter is derived from the word dotterbloem.
Aaigem
Aaigem is a village belonging to the municipality of Erpe-Mere. It is located in the province of East Flanders, Belgium. The village has some 2000 inhabitants. Aaigem was an independent municipality with an area of 7.32 square kilometers till 1976....
(municipality Erpe-Mere
Erpe-Mere
Erpe-Mere is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Aaigem, Bambrugge, Burst, Erondegem, Erpe, Mere, Ottergem and Vlekkem. There is also a hamlet in Bambrugge: Egem. On January 1, 2010 Erpe-Mere had a total...
) and Heldergem (municipality Haaltert
Haaltert
Haaltert is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Denderhoutem, Haaltert proper, Heldergem and Kerksken. On January 1, 2006 Haaltert had a total population of 17,255. The total area is 30.30 km² which gives...
) in the East Flemish Denderstreek
Denderstreek
The Denderstreek or Denderland is a region in the heart of Belgium. It is named after the river Dender. Though the river stretches over three provinces, Hainaut, East Flanders and Flemish Brabant, the region called after the river is situated in East-Flanders. The Dutch word streek means region....
. It's a swampy, almost uninhabited area, with the central brook (beek) Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek, named for its numerous mills (molens).
The Dotter is crossed by several hiking and cycleways, the hiking path "Den Dotter" starts at the Church of Aaigem. The path's distance is 10 km and at the district of Gotegem, there is an old mill that can be visited. The steam follows an erratic course and has a lush flora of over 300 species of plants. A paved road runs through the area to avoid visitor's getting wet feet when walking.
The management is primarily engaged in harvesting and replanting of trees, provide good drainage and mowing lawns with the ubiquitous marsh marigold
Caltha palustris
Caltha palustris is a herbaceous perennial plant of the buttercup family, native to marshes, fens, ditches and wet woodland in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere....
. Marsh marigold means dotterbloem (bloem meaning flower) in Dutch and so Den Dotter is derived from the word dotterbloem.