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Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Brecht

anti-tank canal

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Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Brecht

anti-tank canal

Recommended by 154 cyclists out of 157

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Location: Brecht, Antwerp, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Top cycling routes to anti-tank canal

4.5

(88)

527

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1. Anti-tank canal – Fort of Oelegem loop from Zegel

45.3km

02:42

70m

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

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Intermediate

4.9

(15)

116

riders

2. Anti-tank canal – Zoerselbos Gravel Path loop from Berkenrode

54.2km

03:18

60m

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

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Intermediate

4.8

(5)

riders

3. Antitank Ditch Antwerp – Brasschaat Castle loop from Antwerpen-Luchtbal

43.3km

02:40

60m

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

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Intermediate

Tips

Claudine en Robert🇧🇪🚴

April 25, 2022

In the 1930s, near an extensive network of trenches from World War I, soldiers dug a canal in a quarter circle around Antwerp. The canal was between 6 and 18 meters wide, 2 meters deep and no less than 33 kilometers long, from Zandvliet to Oelegem.

The anti-tank canal was to stop the advance of German tanks and other rolling stock towards Antwerp. However, the enemy came from the other side...

The canal and its banks have since evolved into a green connection between different nature reserves. Plants and animals now easily make the crossing to another nature reserve. Some parts of the original canal have disappeared due to the expansion of the harbor and the construction of highways.

The remains of the canal are now invaluable as a moat. Several fortresses and many bunkers were built along the canal. They have been serving as a comfortable hibernation place for bats for some time now. The calcareous concrete of the fortresses is also very useful for the growth of mosses, ferns and many other plants.

Translated by Google •

Dirk V 🚲 🚶📷

June 6, 2022

The Antwerp Antitankgracht is an artificial watercourse that forms a large quarter circle around the city of Antwerp. The moat has a length of about 33 km and is at least 6 meters wide. It connects the Scheldt near Berendrecht with the Albert Canal in Oelegem.

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🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

October 11, 2022

The Antitankgracht is now a green ribbon between the port of Antwerp - Berendrecht and Massenhoven near Zandhoven. You can enjoy the soothing nature at your own pace via bicycle and hiking trails.

History: The Antitankgracht, dug between 1937 – 1939, served as a defense line of the Defense Line of Antwerp (W0 2).

Translated by Google •

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Tuesday 16 September

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Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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Location: Brecht, Antwerp, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

anti-tank canal

1. Anti-tank canal – Fort of Oelegem loop from Zegel

2. Anti-tank canal – Zoerselbos Gravel Path loop from Berkenrode

3. Antitank Ditch Antwerp – Brasschaat Castle loop from Antwerpen-Luchtbal

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