This walk in the Rupel region consists of two loops and takes you through two beautiful nature reserves. A trip on a ferry connects the two loops and adds a nice extra touch.

Text and photo Eddy Vlyminck

The Rupel region was once dominated by brick factories with tall chimneys, drying sheds, and impressive clay pits with gigantic dredging machines. This 'brick period' is now a thing of the past, and greenery has been on a clear rise for quite some time. Several nature reserves have completely changed the image of this region. During this walk, we cross through two of these nature reserves. The first loop takes us through the Niels Broek. Wet grasslands and a ‘wheel’ (an old dike breach) add to the charm of this area. A little further on, an old flax root well has been restored. For the second nature reserve, we take the ferry. It takes us to the Northern Island. Several large bodies of water here provide an ideal resting place for a colorful collection of birds.

Pasar 2020/6 - Last route check 2020/4

The route

Start at Tolhuisstraat 333 in Schelle (V). Ample parking between taverne Oud Tolhuis and brasserie Tolhuis-Veer. Walk along the Rupeldijk, past Tolhuis-Veer, to bike junction 90. Diagonally left downwards. At WKP 112, towards WKP 4 (via some steps down). Follow the walking path through the Niels Broek (blue rectangle). At the exit of the Niels Broek (1), continue towards WKP 4. At the electricity pole, go left, following the meadow path. Along a second electricity pole to a T-junction near an old water well. Turn left, past two sheds. A little further right towards a distinctive white house. At the end of the dirt road, turn left towards WKP 112. Ignore all side roads and walk to WKP 112 at the old flax root well (2). Here, turn right towards WKP 305. Continue following the signs for WKP 305 for quite a while. Walk back into the municipality of Schelle. After some zigzag walking through a quiet residential area, turn left at the end of Gouden Regenlaan. Via Acacialaan to Tolhuisstraat. Cross over and 50 m to the right. Just before the closure, turn left, along an old railway (no longer in use). At Laarkapel (3) (worth a visit), turn right onto Kapelstraat. Past the second football field, turn left (Suyslaan). Keep walking straight until WKP 312 (4). Turn left to WKP 313. At WKP 313, turn left to WKP 82. Follow this road, including past the entrance gate of Laarhof, to the end of Laardijk. Turn right. About 100 m further, first street left (Bazinstraat). End of the street, turn right. At the electricity distribution station (5), turn left. Follow Rupeldijk to the ferry. Take the ferry (departs on the hour and half-hour) to the Northern Island. At the bird watching hut, turn right. Follow WKP 17. At the electric sign with information about the lock, turn left. Walk to the info board of the Northern Island (6). Go straight between the canal and the nature reserve until the crossroad marked WKP 18. Turn left and gently up to Rupeldijk. Return to the ferry. On the other side, turn right towards parking. You can reminisce at the Oud Tolhuis, an authentic establishment.

The walk is 14.4 km long. Loop 1 (10 km) is not suitable for strollers and wheelchair users. Loop 2 (4.4 km) is.