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Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Turnhout

Merksplas

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Discover
Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Turnhout

Merksplas

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Recommended by 19 hikers out of 20

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    Location: Merksplas, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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    Best Hikes to Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

    4.5

    (13)

    150

    hikers

    1. Colony - Eastern Rampart – Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7 loop from Merksplas

    11.3km

    02:52

    20m

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

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    Intermediate

    4.6

    (18)

    134

    hikers

    2. Landlopers Chapel – Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7 loop from Merksplas

    15.3km

    03:53

    40m

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

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    Intermediate

    4.4

    (12)

    105

    hikers

    3. Grote Hoeve – Colonie 7 Visitor Center loop from Merksplas

    6.55km

    01:39

    10m

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

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    Easy

    Tips

    October 7, 2023

    The Merksplas penitentiary was built in 1825 as a colony to accommodate beggars and vagrants. After WWII it evolved into a semi-open prison with a community regime. Today it is a closed institution for convicts.

    The penal institution has been a protected monument since 1999 and is located in a classified landscape.

    Translated by Google •

      January 24, 2021

      Merksplas Kolonie has many unpaved roads between field and forest. Nice walking there.

      Translated by Google •

        December 26, 2020

        Colonies 5-7 from Wortel and Merksplas were part of the 'Colonies of Benevolence' at the beginning of the 19th. These Colonies emerged at the beginning of the 19th century as an ambitious social experiment in the present-day Netherlands and Belgium. Merksplas was founded as the seventh Colony. Poor beggars, vagabonds, were sent to this corner to live from agriculture and industry. Highly recommended to discover this bygone history.

        Translated by Google •

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          Elevation 80 m

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          Sunday 21 September

          15°C

          8°C

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          Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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          Location: Merksplas, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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