Belgium 2022-04-24 - Packraft Mandel

The river Mandel is a tributary of the river Leie that is relatively unknown to the larger public. In January 2021, Evert and I had a first go at it when we descended the river by packraft from the confluence with Oude Mandelbeek to the locks at Wakken. My plan for the day is however to do a longer stretch on Mandel, i.e. from the locks at Hoogleenstraat in Oostrozebeke to the confluence with the river Leie. The day is gorgeously sunny, but there is quite a bit of wind, which will lead to a nasty headwind on part of the trajectory.

Weather has been very dry of late and right after the locks at Hoogleenstraat there is only little water. As I paddle downstream conditions fortunately improve. The river nicely meanders through a subtle valley with a pastoral landscape.

Right before the confluence with Oude Mandelbeek, I reach the second locks. As on the entire river, there are zero provisions here for taking out and putting in, a little battle with nettles therefore has to be fought. Especially getting back in the water after the second locks is slightly challenging.

I pass Markegem, the Baliekouter nature reserve and Wakken, after which I end up at the third locks. Following the third locks is only a short stretch until Mandel runs into the Leie river. The idea is to take out at this location and hike back to Oostrozebeke. Getting out of the water is a real hassle though, because of concrete slabs lining the river bed. In the end I manage, pack up and start hiking.

The hike leads through a mostly pastoral landscape and eventually also through blossoming fruit orchards. It is interesting to see much of the route that I paddled earlier today from a different angle.

After 4.5 hours and a bit over 18 km, I arrive back at my car. I was not planning to take any photos or videos today and therefore left all gear at home. Since conditions were however nicer than I anticipated, I took quite a few pictures with my cell phone anyway.