5/4/2025

Note: The ferry is available again, but please check the schedules on the Wichelen website first. During the week every half hour from 7:00 to 18:30 and on weekends from 9:00 to 20:30. No crossing offer at 12:30 PM (lunch break).

1/7/2024

Currently, the ferry cannot be used if you park at the church in Schellebelle. The ferryman is retired, and no replacement has been found yet. You may start at the paved parking lot by the fish pond 'Grote Kouterstraat' (GPS house number 14 or follow the signs to the fish pond) in Uitbergen. The path leads over the dike along the parking lot.

8/12/2021

The Kalkense Meersen have received an update and a new report in the NATUUR.BLAD issue Winter 2021 (Dec/January/February) as well as a slight change in some walks that now go over the new bridge over the Kalkense Vaart.

24/03/2021

Those who wish to complete the hike can now exchange 1 km of paved path for a new unpaved path, thanks to a new walking/cycling bridge over the Kalkense Vaart. At node point 18, one crosses the bridge towards node point 24 > and at node point 23 is back on the route. In a row, that makes 01/02/22/21/19/20/09/10/14/18/24/23/97/95/92/98/96/93/99/89/87/94/02/01. The GPS route follows this innovation.

4/04/2019

Natuurpunt has created 4 circular walks in the Kalkense Meersen, totaling 29 km: Binnen zonder Klop (3.5 km); Heisbroek hike (7.5 km); Meersen hike (8 km); Alte Schelde hike (9 km). I have compiled a route that is 16 km long, 2 loops of 8 km each. They both start on the left side when coming from the ferry, but the second loop goes into the Blokstraat. Along the dike of the Schelde, one can sometimes choose to take the lower unpaved path, especially when taking the dog and letting it run free. The Kalkense Meersen is an extensive marsh area with rich nature and low-lying meadows that serve as breeding and wintering grounds for many meadow birds. Parking is available in the village of Schellebelle, on the edge of the Sint Jan Onthoofding church it is unlimited in time. The first experience is to cross the Schelde with a ferry boat to begin the hike. When the ferry is on the other side, just ring the bell and they will come pick you up. The article about 'Kalkense Meersen' can be read in the NATUUR.BLAD magazine from March 2016.

One can also walk this route via the hiking node points: Loop 1 = 01/02/22/21/19/20/09/10/14/18/19/21/22/02/01 or Loop 2 = 01/02/22/23/97/95/92/98/96/93/99/89/87/94/02/01

According to one of the many theories, the ringing of the bell to call the ferry may have led to the origin of the name Schellebelle. The church also has its legend and is said to originate from a devout knight who was captured during the Crusades in the year 1200 and then promised God to build a church at the place where he would first see his Schellebelle again. On Christmas night, the knight was freed from his chains by an angel, carried through the air, and set down on the shore; out of gratitude, he had an altar built there. The first patron saint of the church was St. Gorik, the saint who helps in freeing prisoners.