Urban Packraft trail in Ghent
"Discover the City from Water and Land"
Urban Packraft Ghent: Citytrip & Micro-Adventure in one.
Discover the Highlights of Vibrant Ghent in 1 Day, from both Water and Land.
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New concept Urban Packraft
Urban Packraft is THE urban adventure in Ghent. Paddle through hidden canals and walk along iconic landmarks.
Unique 1-day packraft trail, including complete packraft equipment. Perfect for anyone who wants to experience the city in a unique way. Book your adventure as a couple, with friends, or solo in the heart of Ghent and discover the perfect mix of nature, culture, and action.
- How does it work?
- Pick up your packraft equipment in Ghent
- Follow the route easily on your mobile
- Return at the starting location after completion
Citytrip meets adventure: Urban Packraft in Ghent
Packrafting in Ghent? Absolutely! With Urban Packraft you discover the city in one day – from both water and land.
Together with Ghent locals, we’ve mapped out a unique insider’s day trail. You paddle through hidden canals and quiet passages to spots you won’t find on any map, and walk along green urban oases, abbeys, bridges, and cozy cafes. Start & finish in the heart of Ghent.
Highlights Ghent
Urban Packraft lets you discover Ghent. From hidden canals and city gardens to the vibrant center – this is an adventure you won’t want to miss!
Fully equipped: from packraft to route
What's included with Urban Packraft?
We provide your complete equipment:
Trail
A complete walking and paddling route, easily followed on your mobile.
Packraft
Light, compact packraft, ready in no time. Extra comfort with seat backrest.
Life Jacket
Lightweight comfy life vest. Mandatory, because safety comes first.
Backpack
60L packraft backpack; your equipment is already inside. With space for your personal items.
Paddle
Ultralight 4-piece paddle, backpack-friendly and easily assembled.
Urban Foodbox
Optional: Feel-Good Foodbox - full of treats and a healthy lunch.
Prepared for adventure
Useful information for your packraft adventure
Daily Program - Urban Packraft in Ghent
10:00 AM – Pick up equipment at Madam Bakster
Start your day in the heart of Ghent. At Madam Bakster (Brabantdam 142, 9000 Ghent), you’ll receive your complete backpack with a packraft, paddle, and life jacket. Ordered an Urban Foodbox? It will be ready for you too.
10:15 – Online instructions Route
After clear online instructions showing step by step how to prepare your packraft, you’ll head out independently. You’ll follow a clear route in the app (also available offline). Complete packraft equipment included. No experience needed.
10:30 – Adventure through Ghent
Paddle past historical highlights like St. Nicholas’ Church, the Belfry, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, St. Michael’s Church, and the Gravensteen Castle. Discover the city on foot and from the water, at your own pace.
Time for lunch
Feeling hungry? Settle down at a terrace or choose the Urban Foodbox during your booking and enjoy a cozy picnic in the city garden.
Until 5:00 PM – Return equipment
After your day full of city, nature adventure, return the packraft equipment to Madam Bakster.
Accessibility Urban Packraft Ghent - easily reached by car and public transport
Urban Packraft starts in the center of Ghent and is easily accessible by train, tram, bike, or car. From Ghent-Dampoort station, it’s a 20-minute walk to the starting location. Coming by car? There are several paid parking lots nearby. Start your water adventure stress-free – right in the city center.
Here are some suggested parking options within walking distance of the starting location (Madam Bakster):
Interparking Ghent South (N422) – €2 per hour (max. €16/day), clearance height 2m, charging stations available, 1043 spaces, at Franklin Rooseveltlaan 3A, Ghent only 5 minutes walking.
Parking Reep (P2) – €2 per hour (max. €26/24h), clearance height 2m, charging stations available, 470 spaces, at Seminariestraat 9, Ghent only 6 minutes walking.
Parking Ghent-Dampoort P1 – €2.13 per hour (max. €21.30/24h), clearance height 2.85m, charging stations available, 302 spaces, above-ground parking at Koopvaardijlaan (near station), Ghent only 18 minutes walking.
Prices are indicative and subject to change. Always check the current rate on site. See also the complete overview of parking in Ghent via this link.
Ghent is very easily accessible by train, tram, and bus.
Ghent-Sint-Pieters – Ghent’s largest station, ideal when coming from outside the city. Take tram 2 or 4 towards the center and get off at Ghent Zuid (platform 1). From there it’s a 3-minute walk to the starting location (Madam Bakster).
Ghent-Dampoort – This station is closer to the center. From here it’s a 20-minute walk or you can take a bus/tram to Ghent South (platform 1).
Get to the start of your Urban Packraft adventure easily and sustainably.
Plan your complete Public Transport route easily via this link.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Urban Packraft in Ghent
Curious about how it works, what to bring, and what to expect from the trail?
We’ve already answered the most frequently asked questions.
Can’t find your question? Send an email to [email protected].
Urban Packrafting is a new way of packrafting right in the city center. With a lightweight, inflatable packraft, you walk through the streets and paddle along the canals: one route, two perspectives. It’s a real journey of discovery right through the city.
Ghent is the very first city where this concept launches! This means: walking through the vibrant city center and sailing across hidden canals, past historic facades, green banks, and right next to the magnificent Gravensteen castle.
It combines adventure, nature, and city: all in one day. Urban Packraft is for everyone, no packrafting experience needed.
Minimum age:
• Solo: 18+
• 12-17 years: 1-on-1 with an adult
You pick up your packraft and equipment at 10:00 and return everything no later than 17:00. Start and end location of the route is in the center of Ghent at Madam Bakster.
The route consists of 5.5 km paddling and 8.5 km walking through Ghent.
At a relaxed pace, you’ll be actively engaged for about 4.5 hours. This gives you plenty of time to take breaks, have lunch, take photos, and discover the city at your own rhythm.
Urban Packraft Trail in Ghent is suitable for anyone with a basic level of fitness. You go out independently (without a guide) and set your own pace. You paddle on calm water and receive clear online instructions beforehand.
No experience needed. Even beginners quickly feel comfortable with the packraft — it’s about discovering, not performing. 😉
Minimum age:
• Solo: 18+
• 12-17 years: 1-on-1 with an adult
During your Urban Packraft adventure, you walk and paddle through the heart of historic Ghent and admire iconic monuments from both land and water:
St. Nicholas’ Church (13th century) – Gothic city church and one of the three towers
Ghent Belfry (14th century) – The proud symbol of the city
St. Bavo’s Cathedral (15th century) – Home of the famous Ghent Altarpiece
St. Michael’s Church (15th-19th century) – Impressive church along the Leie
Gravensteen (12th century) – The imposing castle of the Counts of Flanders
Ghent Meat House (15th century) – Historic market hall with unique wooden trusses
From the water, you’ll experience Ghent in a way few visitors do – peaceful, up close, and unforgettably beautiful.
No, you don’t need any experience. Packrafting in Ghent is easy and accessible to everyone. Before you set off, you’ll receive clear online instructions on how to inflate and use the packraft, so you’re well-prepared for the water. You can easily navigate the packraft route using your phone. Within minutes, you’ll feel like a true urban adventurer!
Minimum age:
• Solo: 18+
• 12-17 years: 1-on-1 with an adult
Yes, your dog is welcome on board! Just make sure they wear dog booties to protect the packraft. Don’t have any? No problem: you can rent them for €5 when booking. That way, both you and your four-legged friend can hit the water safely.
The route is a loop: you start and finish at the same location, at Madam Bakster. Very convenient – no extra transport needed.
Yes, the trail continues in the rain. You’re an outdoor adventurer after all! Only in extreme weather conditions like thunderstorms or storms will we contact you. Is the thunderstorm temporary? Then you can take shelter and safely continue your adventure afterward.
The 60L packraft backpack weighs approximately 5 to 6.5 kilos, including your packraft (single-person), paddle, life vest, food, and drinks. The backpack is comfortable and easy to carry. There’s also space left for extras, like a jacket, water bottle, or small personal items.
Packrafting originated in Alaska, where adventurers used lightweight inflatable boats to explore remote areas via rivers and lakes.
Thanks to its low weight and compact size, it quickly became popular among hikers, bikers, and explorers.
Today, packrafting is also on the rise in Europe – and now in the middle of the city too!
Yes, you follow the trail independently using a handy route app. There’s no guide accompanying you, so you set your own pace and choose where to take breaks. No packraft experience needed.
After booking, you immediately receive the route and our online instructions about how to prepare the packraft. At the starting location, you receive all necessary equipment. For questions before or during your trail, we’re available by phone.
This way you can enjoy your adventure through Ghent in complete freedom – your way.
Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers – the chance of getting wet while paddling is very small. You might want to bring a (rain)jacket or sweater for along the way, plus sun protection like a cap and sunscreen. You’ll get a waterproof backpack from us, so you can safely take your belongings on board.
No, we don’t have lockers on-site. But don’t worry: there’s plenty of room in your backpack to safely take your personal belongings with you during the trail.
Children from age 12 can participate, provided they can swim well and are under one-on-one supervision of an adult. Please let us know during booking if you’re coming with children.
We exclusively use single-person packrafts; to reduce the carrying weight for a child, two packrafts can be packed in one backpack.
