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Forest Chapel Olmen

Forest Chapel Olmen

Highlight • Religious Site

Forest Chapel Olmen

Recommended by 35 hikers out of 36

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Location: Balen, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Forest Chapel Olmen

4.8

(9)

hikers

1. Grote Nete Trail – Giant Bench on the Totterpad loop from Bukenberg

18.2km

04:36

40m

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

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Intermediate

4.4

(5)

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2. De Rammelaars Nature Reserve – Wooden Boardwalk loop from Zandvliet

28.8km

07:18

60m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

3.5

(2)

hikers

3. Sand Dunes of De Keiheuvel – Boardwalk in the nature reserve loop from Balen

27.5km

06:58

50m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Tips

June 23, 2025

The church of Olmen is dedicated to Saint Willibrord. This was also the case with the first church that stood on the site of this Forest Chapel. The fact that it was dedicated to Saint Willibrord probably places its origins in the 7th-8th century. Most historians place the shift of the village centre with church to the north in the 11th-12th century. The heath chapel, which grew into an important place of pilgrimage for Our Lady and Saint Willibrord in the 16th century, is from later. The current chapel was rebuilt in 1841 with the original stones from the demolition in 1833.

See also the Saint Willibrord Church of Olmen at komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/7615236

Translated by Google •

June 23, 2025

There are two benches at the chapel. Inside the chapel are chairs for those who want a moment of reflection. If you would like some extra space: cross the street diagonally and you will find a lawn with a few benches in a quiet and beautiful setting.

Translated by Google •

AnneTanne

March 17, 2021

The Boskapel is a field chapel on the Lichtenboslaan in Olmen.

According to legend, there was already a chapel on this site in the 8th century, during the time of Willibrordus. In the 11th-12th century a new church was built, located more to the north, on the site of the current St. Willibrordus Church. We know with certainty that a chapel stood here in the 16th century, which was referred to as Capella in Campo (heath chapel). It was dedicated to Saint Willibrord and Our Lady. Pilgrimages were organized to this chapel in the 17th and 18th centuries. They sought relief against various ailments, such as fever, leg diseases and ulcers. After the 18th century, the chapel fell into disrepair.

In 1841 the old chapel was demolished and the current, smaller, chapel built. This one is a few meters away from its predecessor. It is a brick building, covered by a gable roof on which there is a ridge turret. The choir is round. The altar is made from part of the tombstone of Laurentius Janssens, who was a benefactor of the chapel. The remainder of the tombstone is located at the rear of the chapel.

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Elevation 80 m

Weather

Wednesday 29 October

14°C

8°C

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Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Balen, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Forest Chapel Olmen

1. Grote Nete Trail – Giant Bench on the Totterpad loop from Bukenberg

2. De Rammelaars Nature Reserve – Wooden Boardwalk loop from Zandvliet

3. Sand Dunes of De Keiheuvel – Boardwalk in the nature reserve loop from Balen

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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