Flirting with the border in the valley of the Merkske

Border hopping between Belgium and the Netherlands. Walking across a stream without wet feet. A unique landscape, mined by penniless vagrants.

'Flirting with the border in the valley of the Merkske' is the Walk of the Year in 2019!

https://www.hoogstraten.be/sites/default/files/public/toerisme/documenten/wandelficheHoogstratenLR.pd

Winning walk in Hoogstraten charms with top nature, capricious border, vagrant colony and silence!

The walking loop of Natuurpunt Markvallei made it in the competition of Tourism Province of Antwerp ahead of the candidates from Bornem, Mechelen, Meerhout and Laakdal with 1006 votes out of 2580 votes.

Of course, Natuurpunt Markvallei & Toerisme Hoogstraten invite you in the first place to put on your walking shoes and discover this beautiful walk. After all, getting people walking is the main goal.

No less than four times you hop across the border during this trip! The valley of
the Merkske - the natural border with the Netherlands - serves 1900 ha
top nature. No human interventions in the river here, resulting in
A special landscape and cheerfully singing birds such as the oriole
and nightingale. Via the stately lanes of Wortel-Kolonie (an official
quiet area!) you step to the fens of the Castelreesche Heide. The
Beekvallei is occasionally very wet, but bridges and bat paths keep your feet dry. Visitor centre De Klapekster forms
A cozy ending.
More nature and hiking information in Visitor Centre De Klapekster and
on www.natuurpuntmarkvallei.be.
Departure and parking:
Visitor Centre De Klapekster, Colony 41, 2323 Wortel
Route and distance:
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 57 - 62 - 80 - 76 (NL) - 74 (NL) - 75 (NL) - 97 - 98 -
73 (NL) - 71 (NL) - 70 (NL) - 69 (NL) - 7 - 9 - 10 - 2 - 1 (11 km)
Walking network: Kempense Kolonies
Signage: rectangular, red and white signs with numbers (B)
and hexagonal yellow signs with numbers (NL)
Landscape: forest, lanes, dirt roads, open plains, heathland, fens,
flowery grasslands, marshy hay meadows, wood girths, trouser forests
and a meandering river
Surface: completely unpaved; Put on boots in wet weather
Catering:
• Visitor Centre De Klapekster, Colony 41, 2323 Wortel
(between FP 1 and 2); open Tuesday to Saturday 1-5 p.m. and
Sunday 10.30-18
• Picnic areas at Visitor Centre De Klapekster, between KP 5
and 57, at FP 76 and between FP 97 and 98