2. Brasschaat - Station Heide / Gilbert van Schoonbekepad

On foot from Antwerp to Veenendaal
Leg 2: Brasschaat – Heide station

In this stage we move further away from the big city of Antwerp and we arrive in the leafy area between Brasschaat and Kalmthout. History is also there for the taking. After we have viewed Castle Brasschaat, we come through the woods of De Inslag at Domein- and Kasteel De Mik. Then the route follows part of the anti-tank ditch. This was built before WWII and nowadays forms an important ecological connection between the many nature reserves in the province of Antwerp. The path along the canal is a gift for the walker! The Fort of Brasschaat would one day be cleaned up, a start was made at the time, but the job is not yet done. Find out for yourself... You then pass the cradle of aviation in Belgium: Klein Schietveld, the first military airfield. An hour later you pass the birthplace of Suske and Wiske, who doesn't know them? It is now a museum. The Heide district of Kalmthout was already popular with the prosperous Antwerpers in the 19th century to build luxury villas. Jewish diamond dealers from Antwerp also did this and built their synagogue there. The route ends at Heide station.

Fastest connection by public transport between start and end point: From Heide station by train (dir. Essen) to Station Antwerpen Luchtbal, from there by bus 640, (dir. Loenhout) get off: Brasschaat stop Dr. Roosensplein.