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Anti-tank canal – Zoerselbos Gravel Trail loop from Noorderkempen

Anti-tank canal – Zoerselbos Gravel Trail loop from Noorderkempen

Moderate

5.0

(1)

riders

Anti-tank canal – Zoerselbos Gravel Trail loop from Noorderkempen

03:56

69.9km

100m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 0 m for 250 m

After 26.0 km for 74 m

After 69.7 km for 250 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

18.2 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.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

19.4 km

E10-plas

Lake

22.3 km

anti-tank canal

Highlight • Structure

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 •

Tip by

31.5 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.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

34.9 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.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

37.7 km

Halse Bossen

Forest

44.0 km

Zoerselbos Gravel Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Gravelpad in the middle of the Zoerselbos, it can be very busy here during the holidays and weekends.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

52.5 km

Forest Path Near the Brewery

Highlight • Forest

super nice area I rode this on the gravel bike

Translated by Google •

Tip by

52.9 km

Avenue of Old Oaks and Beeches

Highlight • Forest

Here a paved gravel path runs through an avenue with Oude Eiken and Beuken

Translated by Google •

Tip by

53.7 km

Westmalse Heyde

Nature Reserve

60.7 km

Natuurreservaat Hoofsweer

Nature Reserve

62.3 km

Lovely stretch of asphalt along canal

Highlight • Cycleway

very smooth surface . but expect a busy (bikes , skeelers, joggers. ) route especially in the sunny afternoons. built with every km some resting areas .

Tip by

69.9 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

30.7 km

16.7 km

11.0 km

6.06 km

4.75 km

516 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

20.2 km

19.3 km

15.9 km

11.4 km

2.66 km

311 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 26 August

29°C

17°C

48 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 21, 2025,Vlot rondje gravel vanuit Brecht

With an Easter lunch on the agenda, a smooth gravel ride based on "The Pirlot Hoppergod" by @Gravelritten NL
The route was in great condition, here and there a bit wet after the rain last night. The combination of gravel strips, asphalt and limited singletrack use makes this route smooth to ride.
Starting point moved to Brecht because it is …

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Anti-tank canal – Zoerselbos Gravel Trail loop from Noorderkempen

Antitank Ditch Antwerp

anti-tank canal

Antitank Canal

Cycling along the Anti-Tank Canal

Zoerselbos Gravel Trail

Forest Path Near the Brewery

Avenue of Old Oaks and Beeches

Lovely stretch of asphalt along canal

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