🦐 UNESCO Heritage Adventure: Horseback Shrimp Fishing & Dune Hiking

From Brussels to the Belgian coast — by train, tram, beach and dunes. Ever watched fishermen ride horses into the North Sea? Join Sunday Vacations for an adventurous day on the Belgian coast, combining a scenic train journey, the iconic [horseback shrimp fishing tradition of Oostduinkerke](https://www.navigomuseum.be/en/shrimp-fishers-on-horseback), freshly cooked North Sea shrimp, and a hike across the dunes of De Hoge Blekker — the highest point on the Belgian coast. It’s a day built around discovery, nature, local heritage and good company — with plenty of time to explore at your own pace.

🌿 Experience Overview

We’ll make a perfect coastal loop: Brussels → Oostende → Oostduinkerke → De Hoge Blekker → De Panne → Brussels Expect scenic train and tram rides, sea air, a unique piece of Belgian heritage, beach time, fresh seafood, and an easy coastal hike. Solo joiners are very welcome. Come with friends or come alone — you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect along the way.

🏔️ Event Type

🌿 Curated Experience A community-organised day trip combining culture, nature, local food and social connection.

✨ Highlights

*🐎 Witness Oostduinkerke's traditional horseback shrimp fishing

• 🌊 Enjoy the Belgian coast by train, tram and on foot *🦐 Taste freshly cooked North Sea gray shrimp • 🏖️ Explore the beach and coastal landscape *🥾 Hike through the dunes around De Hoge Blekker • 🚋 Experience the Belgian coastal tram *🤝 Meet international professionals, expat,s and locals • 🌅 Finish the day with a scenic ride back to Brussels

🗓️ Plan / Itinerary

10:50 — Gather at Bruxelles-Midi Meet at Brussels-South / Bruxelles-Midi Station. 10:50 sharp — please don't be late. Trains don't wait! 11:03 — IC train to Oostende We take the direct IC train towards Oostende. 12:15 — Arrive in Oostende Transfer to the coastal tram towards De Panne and enjoy the scenic ride along the Belgian coast. 13:15 — Oostduinkerke Bad Arrive in Oostduinkerke. You’ll have approximately one hour of free time for lunch or optional sightseeing. You can grab something quick to eat or visit the NAVIGO National Fisheries Museum. Museum admission: approximately €10, paid separately. 14:30 — Head towards the beach Free time en,ds and we walk towards the beach to find a good viewing spot. 14:45 — Horseback Shrimp Fishing 🐎🦐 Watch the traditional shrimp fishermen of Oostduinkerke ride their horses into the sea. The viewing is free. Around 15:30 — Fresh shrimp stop We’ll have the opportunity to buy freshly cooked gray shrimp on-site. Bring some small change! 16:30 — De Hoge Blekker dune hike 🥾 We head west towards De Hoge Blekker for an easy approximately one-hour dune loop. Expect sandy paths, coastal scenery, and a refreshing change of pace after the beach. 17:45 — Head towards De Panne Finish the hike and take a short coastal tram ride of approximately 15 minutes towards De Panne train station. 18:31 — Direct IC train to Brussels Time to relax, chat and enjoy the journey back. Around 20:00 — Arrive in Brussels Event ends at Brussels-South. Feel free to stay in the city afterwards for dinner or drinks with the group.

📍 Meeting Point

Bruxelles-Midi / Brussels-South Station Gathering time: 10:50 AM sharp Train departure: 11:03 AM Please arrive early enough to find the meeting point, use the facilities and be ready to board.

💶 Price / Contribution

Sunday Vacations community contribution: €5

The contribution supports the organisation of the community experience.

Not included:

*NMBS/SNCB train tickets

• Coastal tram tickets *Museum admission • Food and drinks *Fresh shrimp • Any other personal expenses

🚆 Important: Train Ticket

Please purchase your train ticket in advance. For the train journey: Outbound: Bruxelles-Midi → Oostende Return: De Panne → Bruxelles-Midi Because this is a different departure and return station, make sure to select “Different return station” when purchasing your ticket through the NMBS/SNCB app or ticket machine. The itinerary is…