Forty kilometers through vineyards around Antwerp: a trip you don't want to miss

Did you know that you can also find beautiful vineyards near Antwerp? This cycling route takes you from Boechout, via Wijnegem to Emblem along three wine estates. Along the way, you will discover a medieval tower, luxurious silos, and a beautiful castle.

We start at Wine Estate Oud Conynsbergh (HP 1). Those arriving by train can reach the starting point via Heuvelstraat, Jan Frans Willemsstraat, and the narrow Elfbunderwegje. Shortly after that, at junction 80, we cycle into Landscape Park Frijthout: a green park of 22 hectares with water buffers, hay meadows, a bee hall, an orchard, boardwalks, and dog meadows. A few kilometers later, we stop at the terrace of Minigolf Boechout (Stop A), after which we continue towards Wommelgem.

After crossing the E34 via the Keerbaan, we arrive in Wijnegem. There lies Wijnegemhof park. The junction route does not go through it, but those who feel like a small detour can leave Kasteellei at the sports center ’t Ondiep and enter the park. After a few hundred meters, the Jan-Vleminck tower appears. It was once part of the farmyard of a 16th-century water castle. Over the centuries, both the castle and large parts of the farmyard disappeared, making the tower the only remnant of the original site. The tower was protected as a monument in 1978. After years of decay, it was restored in 2019.

We cycle along Lindenlei to the lock of Wijnegem at the Albert Canal. A new cyclists' bridge is being constructed there, so we still have to use the temporary bridge. After crossing, junction 24 is on the right, but we first take a detour to Wine Estate Vigna (HP 2). We turn left onto the ’s Gravelwezelsteenweg, where you can see the vineyards behind the gate.

After that, we return to the main road and cycle towards Turnhoutsebaan and junction 24. After the Old Turnhoutsebaan, we follow the canal. On the other side, you can see the large silos that antique dealer and art dealer Axel Vervoordt purchased in 1999. Under his influence, the old silos and warehouses were repurposed as a residential, work, and cultural site. Today, you will find luxury lofts, art spaces, and also restaurant Silo, which opened last year for lunch, dinner, and events.

We continue cycling along the Albert Canal until we cross the water again after junction 99. Shortly afterwards, Golf & Polo Club Bossenstein appears, named after the castle located on the estate. Via junction 64, we drive to Bistweg, where we turn right for our second stop: summer bar Barmuda (Stop B). After that, we head towards junction 85.

Through Broechem, we reach our third wine estate: Emmelhof (HP 3). The best view of the vineyard is from the side street D’Enge, which we enter via junction 36. Before we dive into that road, we stop for a drink at De Tramstatie (Stop C). At the corner of Hondsstraat and Bloemenhof in Lier, we pass the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwveldkapel.

The last kilometers take us back to Boechout via the junctions. Along the way, we pass by the many agricultural businesses that are characteristic of this region. Half an hour later, we arrive at the Steenen Molen, where we conclude our trip with a glass of wine.