Blauwbossen, Smisselbergen , Markvaleipad , Corona Route from Meerle

GPS recording of 10 May 2020 in Coronateit :D eels Smisselbergroute / Blauwbossen / and Markvaleipad . TO THE NETHERLANDS SINT BERNARDUSPAD WAS NOT ALLOWED !! This route is linked to https://www.routeyou.com/nl-be/route/view/7259338/wandelroute/zwartven-mariaveld-blauwbossen-smisselbergen-de-rooy-wilderdseheidepad which in total goes slightly shorter at just before half than this and more % unpaved and also runs in the opposite direction and offers the possibility to walk through a cherry farm IF THERE THE METAL GATE IS OPEN ON THE OTHER SIDE AT WALKING JUNCTION 67

The Blauwbossen is located on several longer and shorter hiking trails that cross the Noorderkempen, such as the Markvalleipad, the Smisselbergenroute and the Sint-Bernardus path. in the meantime, the Rooy and Smisselbergen of nauurpunt have been added and also the Wildese Heidepad and around and over the Kleiputten

It had made little difference if the Blauwbossen domain had come into private hands to be destined and transformed into a golf course. By purchasing this beautiful domain forest, vzw Kempens Landschap, together with the city of Hoogstraten, has managed to prevent this. The area could be preserved for the community and has since been opened to the public.

De Blauwbossen is located in Minderhout, part of Hoogstraten, near the border with the Netherlands. The approx. 15 ha domain consists of a beautiful mixed forest with species such as beech, birch, Scots pine and pedunculate oak. Wide hiking trails and a deep canal system run through the area.

The image of the Noorderkempen has changed considerably in the course of the nineteenth century. Government policy at the time focused on cultivating the "wild" lands. With modern agricultural techniques, many heathlands were systematically converted into agricultural land. In other places, (mostly) coniferous trees were planted on a large scale for the timber industry. The brick industry has also clearly left its mark in this region, as evidenced by the many 'clay pits'.