The Bootjesven - in German as much as Bötchen-Moor - is a natural bog that was deepened by the extraction of peat. At that time, the colony's watchdogs swam here, the vagrants themselves were not allowed to swim. Even today, swimming is forbidden - but not to consolidate power and hierarchy, but to protect nature. The waters are now a habitat for dragonflies and water beetles.
By the way: Not only they can dine here - you can also unpack your picnic blanket at the edge of the biotope.

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🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

December 29, 2024

Hiking

The Bootjesven is a fen that was created by extracting peat. Peat was extracted on a large scale in the entire Noorderkempen region between the middle of the 13th and the 18th century. Peat is dried peat that was dug from the marshy peat areas. The extracted peat was laid out to dry and then used as a raw material.

This location is now a large body of water where it is wonderful to stay. You can cool off up to your knees and no further. Swimming is prohibited.

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Dirk V 🚲 🚶📷

August 4, 2022

Cycling

The most famous fen of Hoogstraten, which was created by peat extraction. Today it is home to numerous waterfowl and is an ideal place for a picnic.

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Best routes to Bootjesven

4.6

(87)

494

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1. Flirting with the border in the Valley of the Merkske

9.38km

02:21

10m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.3

(15)

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2. Caught between border and green

12.7km

03:12

10m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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4.4

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3. From Hoogstraten to Wortel-Kolonie

13.0km

03:17

30m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 70 m

Weather

Thursday 5 February

8°C

4°C

91 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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Location: Hoogstraten, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Wortel-Kolonie

Boardwalk Along the Merkske

Bootjesven Gravel Path

Kolonie - Ringwal Oost

Vagrants' Cemetery Merksplas Colony (Landlopersbegraafplaats Merksplas-Kolonie)

Laarzenpad Halsche Beemden

Bridge Over the Gouwbergse Loop

Memorial John William Harper V.C 29/09/1944

Ancient Forest of Wortel-Kolonie

Belgium–Netherlands Border Crossing

Forest Path in Wortel-Kolonie

Wortel-Kolonie

Bootjesven

1. Flirting with the border in the Valley of the Merkske

2. Caught between border and green

3. From Hoogstraten to Wortel-Kolonie

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