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(S/E) Starting from the Den Diel car park along the canal connecting Bocholt to Herentals, this circular route crosses the Antwerp Campine, alternating between forests and countryside, towards Postel Abbey.
(2) Shortly after kilometre 3, there is a boundary stone that once marked the territory of seven feudal fiefdoms: Balen, Bergeijk, Dessel, Lommel, Luyksgestel, Mol and Postel.
(3) A little further on, a boundary stone marking the Belgian-Dutch border marks the start of this route, which continues for a few kilometres through wooded areas in the Netherlands.
(5) Originally, the Norbertine Abbey of Postel was only a priory built by the monks of Floreffe Abbey in the 12th century. It did not attain the status of an abbey until the early 17th century.
Cheese, beer, bread, fruit juice and herbs are produced on site and sold in the adjoining shop.
(6) On the way back, the route rejoins the canal linking Dessel to Schoten at a pretty drawbridge.
(7) After about 1 km, the route crosses the canal again via a wooden footbridge and then enters the forest to rejoin the canal at the starting point.
Getaway to Postel Abbey
This circular walk takes you through the Antwerp Campine region, across countryside and pine and deciduous forests. It follows two historic canals, makes a slight detour into the Netherlands and, as its name suggests, takes you on a tour of Postel Abbey.
Details
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 22.18 km -
Average duration: 6h 25 -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 18 m -
Descent: - 18 m -
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Highest point: 51 m -
Lowest point: 27 m
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 33 m - 'Den Diel' car park
- 1 : km 0.89 - alt. 40 m - Nature Reserve
- 2 : km 3.09 - alt. 42 m - Boundary marker of the 7 fiefdoms
- 3 : km 5.74 - alt. 44 m - Entrance to the Netherlands
- 4 : km 9.41 - alt. 51 m - Steenoven country golf
- 5 : km 11.76 - alt. 40 m - Postel Abbey
- 6 : km 15.81 - alt. 31 m - Drawbridge
- 7 : km 16.95 - alt. 31 m - Footbridge
- 8 : km 20.38 - alt. 35 m - Route
- S/E : km 22.18 - alt. 33 m - 'Den Diel' car park
Notes
Hikers who dislike long straight stretches are advised to give this route a miss.
There is a good selection of restaurants and brasseries around the abbey and the starting point.
Alternative departure points are the large car park at the abbey, a smaller car park near the drawbridge and a very small car park near the footbridge.
Worth a visit
South of the route: the ponds and lakes of Mol
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