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Merksplas Colony

Merksplas Colony

Highlight • Historical Site

Merksplas Colony

Recommended by 116 cyclists out of 120

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Location: Merksplas, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Top cycling routes to Merksplas Colony

4.7

(17)

160

riders

1. Merksplas Colony – Wortel-Kolonie loop from Turnhout

60.9km

03:41

90m

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

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Intermediate

4.5

(2)

191

riders

2. Wortel Prison – Merksplas Colony loop from Hoogstraten

46.5km

03:21

70m

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

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Intermediate

4.6

(5)

riders

3. Wortel-Kolonie – Bels Lijntje loop from Baarle-Hertog

52.4km

03:05

80m

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

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Intermediate

Tips

lilian2260

November 4, 2018

Candle straight lanes and monumental buildings dominate the landscape in Merksplas Colony. In the past, vagrants lived here and were sent to the Colony. Because they were poor, begging or causing nuisance. They worked and lived together. This system came to an end in 1993.

There are no more vagrants in the Colony, but their story is engraved in the landscape. Merksplas Colony is now an important heritage site with protected monuments in a protected landscape.
(/kolonienvanweldadigheid.eu/beit/merksplas-kolonie)

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

April 4, 2025

Once a colony for vagrants, today it is mainly a place for various types of birds, bats, insects and other inhabitants. Hikers, cyclists and riders come to Merksplas Kolonie to enjoy the peace and the landscape. Characteristic avenues, open fields, fens and grasslands alternate. Since 1999, the area has been a cultural-historical heritage. This unique landscape also has a fascinating history that you can discover in the visitor centre Kolonie 5-7.

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Robbiev

May 31, 2022

This photo is the colony of Wortel and not of Merksplas.
The colony of Wortel is located about 5km further towards Wortel-Hoogstraten.

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Details

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Elevation 30 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 29 October

14°C

8°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Merksplas, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Merksplas Colony

1. Merksplas Colony – Wortel-Kolonie loop from Turnhout

2. Wortel Prison – Merksplas Colony loop from Hoogstraten

3. Wortel-Kolonie – Bels Lijntje loop from Baarle-Hertog

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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