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Hoogstraten Prison (Former Castle)

Castles

Hoogstraten Prison (Former Castle)

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Hoogstraten Prison (Former Castle)

Recommended by 36 hikers out of 38

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Location: Hoogstraten, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Hoogstraten Prison (Former Castle)

3.9

(8)

hikers

1. The Laermolen Watermill – 't Withof loop from Hoogstraten

6.38km

01:37

10m

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

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Easy

4.4

(7)

hikers

2. Schootse Hoek Nature Reserve – De Schootse Hoek loop from Hoogstraten

17.5km

04:25

30m

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

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Intermediate

5.0

(7)

hikers

3. St. Salvator Church Wortel – Beguinage Hoogstraten loop from Wortel

9.70km

02:28

20m

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

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Intermediate

Tips

Viviane

August 3, 2025

The former castle of Hoogstraten, also known as Gelmelslot, is a castle with a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Today, the castle serves as a Penitentiary School Center (PSC), a penitentiary where inmates receive vocational training.
The castle has served various purposes over the years. Built in the 16th century by Rombout II Keldermans, a renowned architect, it originally served a defensive purpose. In the 18th century, the castle was damaged by fire and later looted. After a period of decline, the castle was used as a beggar's asylum, agricultural colony, and refuge in the 19th century. Since 1931, it has been used as a Penitentiary School Center, the only penitentiary in Flanders where inmates systematically receive vocational training.

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Viviane

August 3, 2025

The castle is surrounded by a moat and an estate of approximately 70 hectares, including meadows and farmland. The castle is not open to the public due to its function as a prison.
In the past, the castle also played a role in the Eighty Years' War, where it played a significant role in the battle between Spanish and Dutch troops, according to BENEGO.

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ShadowHiker. Lid HikeClub

October 27, 2022

not accessible

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Details

Informations

Elevation 20 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 29 October

14°C

8°C

70 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Hoogstraten, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Hoogstraten Prison (Former Castle)

1. The Laermolen Watermill – 't Withof loop from Hoogstraten

2. Schootse Hoek Nature Reserve – De Schootse Hoek loop from Hoogstraten

3. St. Salvator Church Wortel – Beguinage Hoogstraten loop from Wortel

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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