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Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Fort of Merksem

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Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Fort of Merksem

Recommended by 73 hikers out of 76

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Location: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Fort of Merksem

4.5

(22)

hikers

1. Fort of Merksem loop from Merksemheide

5.61km

01:25

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

3.1

(9)

hikers

2. Fort of Merksem – Moated Castle Hof van Veltwijck loop from Merksemheide

14.2km

03:35

20m

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

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Intermediate

3.0

(5)

hikers

3. Moated Castle Hof van Veltwijck – Fort of Merksem loop from Schoonbroek

14.4km

03:37

20m

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

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Intermediate

Tips

Viviane

February 23, 2025

The National Redoubt would consist of 1) a siege rampart, 2) a fort belt and 3) flooding. The fort belt would consist of eight Brialmont forts (built in 1859) in an 18 km long belt from Wijnegem to Hoboken. After the construction of these eight forts it was decided to extend the defensive belt in order to be able to conduct the defense at a greater distance from Antwerp. The construction of the fort was decided by law of 10 January 1870. The fort was built in the period 1871-1882. In the same period the forts Zwijndrecht and Kruibeke were also built. Based on the Franco-German war of 1870 it became clear that a further fort belt was necessary and it was decided to build an outer line, which was adapted to more modern weapons. This last plan was ratified by law of 30 March 1906. This Main Resistance Position included 16 forts and 10 redoubts on the right bank and 5 forts and 2 redoubts on the left bank.

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Viviane

February 23, 2025

The fort of Merksem is part of the Defence Line of Antwerp. The Defence Line of Antwerp was decided by the choice of Antwerp as National Redoubt in 1859. The idea behind this was that Antwerp was the most suitable as a last fortification until the help of allies could arrive.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 50 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 17 September

18°C

16°C

10 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

Fort of Merksem

1. Fort of Merksem loop from Merksemheide

2. Fort of Merksem – Moated Castle Hof van Veltwijck loop from Merksemheide

3. Moated Castle Hof van Veltwijck – Fort of Merksem loop from Schoonbroek

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