23/06/2022

The Hobokense Polder, the largest nature reserve in Antwerp City surrounded by the Scheldt and industry. Centuries ago, mudflats outside the dike were flooded by the water of the Scheldt. The area was reclaimed for use as pasture and arable land. Large parts of the polder were occupied by industry and this part was given the destination as a residential and SME zone. The polder project was only partly developed and over the years a diversity of hundreds of plants and animals (including foxes and roe deer) began to feel at home here. Walking along the Broekslot, the Rallegat and Ruitersplas where you pass three viewing walls overlooking the lakes of the Polder and in the grazing zone you can also encounter Galloway cattle. The nature reserve has been a protected cultural-historical landscape since 1996. Natuurpunt has 3 walks here, blue, red and the AS Adventure. The GPS walk is a combination of the routes 100% car-free and almost 100% unpaved (almost through a cobblestone strip). Parking along the Schroeilaan, Hoboken (near bus stop) and the street cross into the nature reserve. Halfway you walk on the Scheldedijk with several benches for a break. For more information (or support) you can check the website of the local chapter on www.hobokensepolder.be, but it is a pity that their walking brochure (the correct and free to take from the box at several entrances) and the walking brochure in the magazine natuur.blad edition zomer '22 (and on the general site of Natuurpunt) are not compliant. You can see a passionate team here that has protected this piece of 'garden of the city' from industry over the years.