With summer in sight, we set off to the Antwerp Kempen, in the unique nature reserve Most-Keiheuvel, through dunes and forests.

Text and photo Guido Elias

The parking lot of the recreational area and children's paradise De Keiheuvel in Balen is the starting point for this walk along the junction network of the Antwerp Kempen. The tour takes you through the 540 ha large, diverse nature reserve Most-Keiheuvel, two completely different natural cores that follow each other seamlessly. The Most is a wet valley area, while the higher-lying Keiheuvel is characterized by a landscape of dry open land dunes. Loose sand, extensive forests with rich fauna and flora, as well as quiet residential areas make up the ingredients of this tour. And after the walk, the recreational area invites with a wide range of attractions like a playground, a petting zoo, mini-golf, and much more. And maybe you will encounter the local hero Tom Boonen along the way!

The route

Upon leaving the parking lot of the recreational area De Keiheuvel (V), turn left and follow the direction to junction number 8 (signs are available at the parking lot). Go left through a gate past the mini-golf course and the building of the countryside classes and immediately enter a dune landscape with various small ponds. Soon you will reach junction 8 and then follow towards junction 9 across an open area. After 800 meters you will reach number 9. Now turn right to number 96 and after 300 meters turn left towards 98. Go down the dune and leave the recreational area. You will enter a residential area and the Kapelstraat. At X turn right into Pasdijk and immediately right into Middenstraat. Be careful at the end at the T-junction; the sign towards 98 is incorrect. Turn right here into Vuurbergenstraat. Shortly after that turn left back into Kapelstraat. Continue until you reach number 98 in front of the Biezenfeld. Now continue towards 97. Leave the Kapelstraat at the sign 'End of the Agglomeration 'Wezel', right along the gravel path to 97 (500 m from 98). Now always follow number 99 along a wider field path and through the forest. Caution: When you come to a cleared large open area, the sign is misleading; you must turn left here (not straight ahead!). Continue following 99, which you will reach again after 1.7 km in Kapelstraat. Now continue right towards number 1, 300 meters further. Here you turn right to junction 5 - which is 1.8 km further - along the quiet paved Pelterweg, the border between Keiheuvel and Most. Keep walking briskly and then turn left into the forest on field paths. At 5, turn right to junction 4, which you reach 1.2 km further along Pelterweg. Then turn right to 3, which you will reach quickly and which is situated on a dune hill. Here, turn left towards junction 7, a good distance through dunes and a field path, past a campsite, until you reach 7 at a fairly busy road. Now head right towards 8 along the meadow's edge; after about 1 km you will return to your starting point, the parking lot of the recreational area.