Fort Oelegem – Scheldt–Rhine Canal Towpath loop from Nijlen

Fort Oelegem – Scheldt–Rhine Canal Towpath loop from Nijlen

Hard

4.8

(5)

177

riders

Fort Oelegem – Scheldt–Rhine Canal Towpath loop from Nijlen

06:19

117km

170m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 9, 2026

Tips

Includes movable bridges

Check opening times.

After 21.0 km for 19 m

After 86.4 km for 21 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

11.0 km

Fort Oelegem

Highlight • Historical Site

The fort was built between 1909 and 1914 to prevent an invasion. After 1918, the fort was rebuilt, its weapons replaced, and its ventilation and emergency exits were adapted.

During World War II, the German Wehrmacht used the fort as a storage facility. After the liberation, it served the US Army as an anti-aircraft defense center against V1 rockets.

In 1947, the fort's military use finally ended, and it became private property.

Today, it is home to approximately 1,300 bats. On certain days and by appointment, you can visit it as part of a guided tour.

Translated by Google •

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12.1 km

Cycling along the Anti-Tank Canal

Highlight • River

It started as a military structure, but it is now an attractive natural ribbon that invites you to walk, cycle, relax and explore. The Antitankgracht dates from just before the Second World War. He was once part of a whole network of defense lines, fortresses and bunkers around Antwerp. After the war, nature took over from the military. Very special places were created with a great diversity of plants and animals. Many species that found their permanent home here have often become rare in other places in Flanders. The Antitankgracht is a real "animal highway" that ensures that animals move from one nature reserve to another. In addition to the beautiful nature, there is of course also the impressive military heritage in the immediate vicinity of the canal: fortresses, bunkers and all kinds of buildings that served a military purpose at the time.

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15.5 km

Antitank Canal

Highlight • River

The Antitankgracht was constructed just before the Second World War to stop German tanks. Fortunately, that is no longer necessary today, but it does provide us with a nice location to cycle through.

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18.3 km

Antitankgracht – Green ribbon around the city of Antwerp

Highlight • River

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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23.2 km

Antitank Ditch Antwerp

Highlight • River

Today, its function has shifted from military defense ditch to 'defender of nature and landscape', a unique landscape element, along which you can cycle and walk almost endlessly. Moreover, as a large nature connection area, the Antitankgracht also contributes to the migration of animals and plants.

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25.5 km

De Inslag

Nature Reserve

31.1 km

De Uitlegger

Nature Reserve

36.5 km

Loopgraven en bunkers in het Mastenbos

Archaeological Site

37.4 km

Mastenbos

Forest

40.0 km

Antitankgracht

Lake

41.1 km

Schans van Smoutakker

Fort

41.4 km

Antitank Ditch — Yellow Connecting Route

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Yellow connecting route along the Antitankgracht and the adjacent Fort of Stabroek and some bunkers from WWII.

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47.9 km

Kanaaldok B2

Lake

49.2 km

Scheldt–Rhine Canal Towpath

Highlight • Cycleway

Beautiful and car-free towpath and easy to ride with a bicycle. Take a moment to observe the activity of the port of Antwerp near the lock complex of Berendrecht and Zandvlietsluis.

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58.3 km