Until 1993, Wortel prison was a vagrant colony. With the abolition of the vagrancy law, the penal institution was used to house convicts. The buildings were converted, better secured and renovated.

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Frank en Nancy 🇧🇪

September 13, 2021

Cycling

The prison on Steenweg op Wortel dates from 1825 and was built as a colony for beggars and vagrants. After the Second World War, the facility evolved into a prison …

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Viviane

August 20, 2025

Hiking

A silent witness to the history of the Wortel Colony. This former prison recalls the strictly regulated living and working conditions of the colony, where the poor and vagrants were housed and forced into labor. Stroll past this historic building and experience the special atmosphere of a place that once shaped the daily lives of many.

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Best routes to Wortel Prison

5.0

(1)

176

riders

1. Hoogstraten Town Hall – Wortel Prison loop from Hoogstraten

46.4km

03:20

70m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(11)

riders

2. Wortel-Kolonie – Wortel Prison loop from Wortel

53.3km

03:07

70m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

136

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3. Gravel path De Roet – Wortel Prison loop from Malle

55.9km

03:54

80m

Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

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Hard

Details

Informations

Elevation 20 m

Weather

Friday 6 February

12°C

3°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

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Location: Hoogstraten, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Wortel Prison

1. Hoogstraten Town Hall – Wortel Prison loop from Hoogstraten

2. Wortel-Kolonie – Wortel Prison loop from Wortel

3. Gravel path De Roet – Wortel Prison loop from Malle

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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