Walking route
Nature reserve Ronde Put.
The iconic Postel Abbey provides the stately backdrop for a walk that takes you through the hidden history of the Kempen region. What was once a marshy peat extraction area has now been transformed into one of Flanders' most valuable nature reserves: the Ronde Put. During this walk, you'll quickly leave the traffic behind to wander along the banks of the Dessel-Schoten Canal and the Zwarte Nete River. Be surprised by photogenic birdwatching huts and an atmospheric boardwalk that guides you across the fragile, wet heathland. And the best tradition? We'll save it for last: a Postel Tripel with abbey cheese at the finish.
Distance: 12 km.
Time: 3h00.
Grade: Moderate.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed on leach.
Height gain: Flat.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: See PDF route description.
Hiking shoes recommended.
Langelinneput.
The walk begins at the iconic Postel Abbey, an impressive Norbertine monastery that has been a fixture in this Kempen landscape since the Middle Ages.
The first part of the route follows a short stretch of the busier highway, but we soon leave the traffic behind. We walk peacefully along quiet, unpaved roads towards the Ronde Put (Round Put). The Ronde Put is essentially a vast peat pit. In the 18th and 19th centuries, this area consisted of marshy fenland. Due to the high demand for fuel, peat was cut here on a large scale. What is now a valuable nature reserve clearly bears the marks of this former use.
At the Ronde Put, we stop at the birdwatching hut, where you have a beautiful view of the open water and the surrounding reed beds. With a bit of luck, you can observe numerous waterfowl here. From here, we continue towards the Dessel–Schoten Canal. We cross the Zwarte Nete River via a beautiful bridge to reach the canal. Then we follow the towpath along the water to the next highlight of the walk: the birdwatching hut at Langelinneput. Here too, a striking bridge and a wooden walkway have been constructed to reach the hut, making it even more photogenic.
After a relaxing visit to this beautiful observation spot, we continue through the heart of the Ronde Put nature reserve. A charming boardwalk leads us straight through the wetlands, allowing us to explore this unique area in comfort.
We return to our destination via wide, unpaved forest paths in the Postel woods. We conclude the walk in style at the abbey, where we can relax with a piece of abbey cheese and a well-deserved Postelse tripel.
Download PDF for route description and map.
Some trails can be muddy.
During the months of February and March, organized hunting takes place in this area during weekdays.
Walks Antwerp.
