WALKING POINT Kalmthoutse heath short

The nature reserve

The Kalmthout Heath is located at the border with the Netherlands all the way in the north of the province of Antwerp. The nature park is one of the largest nature areas in Flanders. But there is more: the area extends further into the Netherlands, creating a connected walking area (the border park De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide) of 60 km2.

The nature reserve consists of a unique heath landscape, with pools and dunes, surrounded by forests. You feel like you're in a remote piece of nature, and not at all in busy Flanders!

The walk

The walk is very varied. It zigzags through the nature reserve, introducing you to all the landscapes you can encounter here: wet and dry heath, dunes, pools, and forests.

To protect the vulnerable nature, you must stay on the walking paths, but that's not a problem at all: there are more than enough paths to explore this piece of nature thoroughly and respectfully.

And the paths can be quite rough at times: they run through loose sand, cross forests or are quite wet due to the many puddles and ponds. On Sunday afternoons, it can get pretty busy here, but most walkers stay close to the visitor center, allowing you to often walk alone during the hike.

The walk takes place for more than 95% on unpaved paths. There are no cars in sight, and there are no buildings. This is a quiet area.

During the walk, you will pass an observation tower that is open to the public. A beautiful viewpoint that shows an overview of the area you are walking through!

When

It is always good to walk here, except during the breeding season, which runs from March 15 to June 30, when the northern part of the Kalmthout Heath is closed.

In winter, the open plains can be bleak, especially in rainy weather. The heath turns gray, and the landscape appears very desolate. Snow and clear skies provide fantastic vistas, while mist makes the heath quiet and mysterious.

In spring (June to July), the wet heath blooms pink, and from midsummer (August to September), the dry heath blooms, turning the landscape purple. Summers can be very hot here because of the white sand.

The walking paths in the border park are freely accessible between sunrise and sunset. There is no hunting allowed in the nature reserve.

During very dry periods in the summer, there is a fire danger on the heath. Very exceptionally, the area may need to be closed. Check with the visitor center De Vroente by phone first.

Start & endpoint: De Vroente

- Address: Putsesteenweg 19, 2910 Essen

- Website:

www.grensparkkalmthoutseheide.com

- Phone: 03/620 18 30

- By car: there is ample parking at De Vroente

- By public transport: good train connection from Antwerp to the Kalmthout - Heide station. After that, 1.6 km walk to De Vroente.  

Practical info

This walk starts at the visitor center ‘De Vroente’ where the municipal tourist office of Kalmthout and a tavern are also located. You can find information, a walking map, restrooms, cafeteria, and information about accommodations here. There is ample parking available.

There are no facilities along the way, as the walk continuously goes through a nature reserve without any habitation. Bring your own picnic.

For those who find the Kalmthoutse Heide too far for a day trip: there is a good selection of hotels, holiday homes, bed & breakfasts, and campsites in Kalmthout. The tourist office will provide you with all the info.

Website of the tourism office: https://visitkalmthout.be/

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WARNING

The northern part of the Kalmthout Heath is closed by the Agency for Nature and Forest during the breeding season which runs from March 15 to June 30. 

This walk is then partly NOT accessible. 

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This walk is part of a series of top walks in Flanders.

There is always a variant of +/-12 km and one of +/- 20 km.

https://www.wandelpunt.be