Routes

Route planner

Features

Product updates

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Turnhout

Beerse

De Huffelen Nature Area

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Turnhout

Beerse

De Huffelen Nature Area

Recommended by 22 hikers out of 23

Save

Location: Beerse, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to De Huffelen Nature Area

4.0

(2)

hikers

1. Kempisch Canal – De Huffelen Nature Area loop from Merksplas

7.78km

01:58

10m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.3

(4)

hikers

2. Velderheide – De Huffelen Nature Area loop from Stokt

3.61km

00:55

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.1

(8)

hikers

3. Kempisch Canal – Luysterberg Forest Path loop from Merksplas

10.5km

02:38

10m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

Tips

April 28, 2025

The Huffelen forest area was part of the former Abtsheide, located in the north of Beerse and approximately 900 hectares in size. In 1311, Jan II, Duke of Brabant, donated the area to the Sint-Michielsabdij in Antwerp.

At that time, it was a vast plain with inland dunes, fens and marshes. In 1532, the municipality of Beerse was granted the right to use it, of course in return for a fee to the abbey. In 1666, Beerse then bought the Abstheide. Residents were allowed to graze their sheep, mow the heath, cut peat and dredge bogs, among other things. In 1772, Empress Maria-Theresia decided that the municipality had to develop the wastelands or sell them for development. And in the nineteenth century, the municipality sold them for development.

In 1865, the Dessel-Schoten canal was dug and several brick factories were established along that canal. And near those factories, clay pits were dug again. In 1974, the municipality bought those old clay pits again. And residents are allowed to fish there. In addition, there is now nature management, although nature is also allowed to take its course. Follow the route because there is a point where you cannot go through because two pools meet.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 80 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 23 September

17°C

9°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Beerse, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

De Huffelen Nature Area

1. Kempisch Canal – De Huffelen Nature Area loop from Merksplas

2. Velderheide – De Huffelen Nature Area loop from Stokt

3. Kempisch Canal – Luysterberg Forest Path loop from Merksplas

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️