Colony of Charity Wortel Cross-border from Minderhout

The visitor center De Klapekster is the gateway to the nature reserve of the Vallei van het Merkske. It is located in the area of https://www.kolonienvanweldadigheid.eu/, which was added to the World Heritage List on July 26, 2021.

De Klapekster is a place that encourages you to go outside and experience everything in nature. And then to share the experiences in a warm environment with others over a drink.

Hiking route developed and recorded with GPS for our hiking club, conducted on May 30, 2018, with 45 members. UPDATED AND MADE PUBLIC IN CONNECTION WITH NEW PIECES OF TRAILS ON JANUARY 8, 2020. The tour starts at the church in Minderhout, where you can also park for free. It then leads over partly old footpaths to https://www.natuurpuntmarkvallei.be/bezoekerscentrum-de-klapekster/, where you can choose, if you leave there, for the full 24 KM TO THE RIGHT KP 2 and return to Klapekster after 7 km OR 7 KM LESS WITHOUT LOOP TO THE LEFT KP 1 and there to the right.

After the tour, you can stop by http://withofke.be/, take a quick look at the opening hours.

From former vagrancy colony to World Heritage?

In 1993, the law on vagrants was abolished, so the former Rijksweldadigheidskolonien in Merksplas and Wortel, together over 1000 ha large, had no more designation. The local population and the municipality of Merksplas, supported by Kempens Landschap, sought and found a new purpose for the former vagrant courtyard and chapel. The restoration and tourist recreational use are financed with provincial, Flemish, and European funds.