Wortel-Kolonie – Wortel Prison loop from Kolonie Merksplas

Bike touring routes & trails

Wortel-Kolonie – Wortel Prison loop from Kolonie Merksplas

Easy

4.5

(8)

riders

Wortel-Kolonie – Wortel Prison loop from Kolonie Merksplas

01:29

24.0km

40m

Cycling

Easy bike ride. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Wortel-kolonie

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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1.08 km

Crossing over Ringwal Kolonie 5-7

Highlight • Historical Site

A barrier dug by humans to prevent possible escapes during the heyday of the colony's existence. Now you can enjoy the peace and quiet at this ring wall. The waterfronts are colored differently each season.

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3.20 km

Gravel Path Through the Fields

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Sturdy good running gravel lane through woods and fields. There is always a heron hiding somewhere.

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9.57 km

Sint-Katharinakerk Cathedral of the Noorderkempen

Highlight • Religious Site

The Saint Catherine Church is a permanent fixture on the horizon in Hoogstraten. This impressive church was built between 1524 and 1546 by order of Count Antoon de Lalaing and …

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9.69 km

St. Catherine's Church, Hoogstraten

Highlight • Religious Site

The St. Catherine's Church is the third highest (104.7m) church building in Belgium. Characteristic is the red Kempen brick, which is rarely used for towers of that size. The tallest …

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15.7 km

Wortel-Kolonie

Highlight • Historical Site

A historic location where vagrants have made a living in the past. Now an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area by bike or simply walking through the landscape.

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15.9 km

Landlopers Cemetery Wortel-Kolonie

Highlight • Historical Site

East of Wortel lies the more than 540 hectare area Wortel-Kolonie. Once a colony for vagrants, today the place for dozens of species of birds, bats, insects and other inhabitants. …

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16.3 km

Wortel Prison

Highlight • Historical Site

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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22.4 km

Wooden bridge and pond in Merksplas Colony

Highlight • Bridge

The large swimming pool, dug by the prisoners.
A beautiful piece of nature. It is no longer a swimming pond. But there are enough ducks and other water birds.

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24.0 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types