The best running trails around Mechelen

The Barvest is a restaurant and cafe located on the city walls. Since this section mainly features photos of the green belt that forms the city walls, which start and end here, here's some information. The city ramparts are a 5 km long green walk around the center of Lier. A section of the city ramparts is a protected landscape. The Lier city ramparts largely follow the route of the second city wall from the first half of the 15th century. At that time, the ramparts primarily served a military function, providing protection against enemy cannon fire and raids. But the ramparts also had an economic importance: import and export duties were collected at the city gates. In the 19th century, the ramparts no longer served a military purpose and were dismantled. The ramparts between the Spui and the city park (towards Mechelsepoort) were lowered and planted with trees. The section between the city park and the Spui (towards Leuvensepoort) followed later. These spacious walking paths, known as the Begijnenvest, Davidsvest, Bergmannvest, Spuivest, Sionsvest, and the towpath along the Leuvensevest, together with the city park, form the green lung of the city center. A section of the ramparts is a protected landscape. A regent's decree from 1949. Now you'll mainly find trees like linden, red and green beech, oak, whitebeam, but also special species like pagoda tree. There used to be many elm trees, but they disappeared due to a disease. You can also admire several statues. On Davidsvest, you can admire Cadetje, a statue that refers to the former cadet school on the opposite side. Near Frederik Peltzerstraat is the statue of Anton Bergmann (lawyer and man of letters). Canon J.B. David (historian and linguist) has had his statue near Antwerpsestraat since 1923. The Chapel of St. Rita, near Mechelsestraat, was erected in 1948 in memory of Lier's political prisoners. And more at https://lier.be/wonen-en-leven/natuur-milieu-en-duurzaamheid/recreatie/de-stadsvesten

let us never forget

A colorful discovery for artists and admirers. Historical context: In the late 1960s, the Mechelen city council wanted to build a conference center at this location. The location was ideal, with the E19 motorway nearby. One problem: there was no significant conference infrastructure. Several Belgian entrepreneurs were willing to build and operate the complex. The building was to have 18 floors, including meeting rooms, restaurants, and hotel rooms. Construction began in 1972 but was soon halted. According to some sources, this was because the building subsided into the marshy subsoil, while others attributed it to a lack of financing. The project went horribly wrong. The shell was only two stories high. For over 50 years, nature has been given free rein. All sorts of rare animals and plants now live in and around the ruins. A boardwalk leads to the first floor of the shell. Enjoy the many street art works without disturbing the natural environment. You can also literally climb this highlight from this level via a staircase to a viewpoint. Admire and marvel at how nature and street art artists breathe new life into this site.

From the Sion Bridge, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge, you can see the confluence of the Grote Nete and Kleine Nete rivers. The entire landscape is situated within the Nazareth Nature Reserve. A lovely place to relax.

In Vrijbroekpark, you'll find wooden structures and natural obstacles throughout the park, encouraging movement. They connect play areas like the playground and the traffic garden, ensuring a walk from the parking lot never has to be boring. Along the route, you'll encounter the renovated hotel ruins. For more information about the hotel ruins and Vrijbroekpark: www.vrijbroekpark.be.

Batteliek is a Mechelen microbrewery, microdistillery, and lemonade housed in a former church. It's a wondrous place where alchemy and industry intertwine. Let your senses be captivated by the experimental kitchen and drinks, where new flavors are developed through trial and error.

The Zennegat: intersection of water safety and nature development The Zennegat lies where the Zenne River, the Leuven-Dijle Canal, and the Dijle River meet. This flood control area guarantees safety in the surrounding area and protects valuable natural resources. Channels, mudflats, and salt marshes here provide an ideal habitat for various plants and animals.

From here, you'll find yourself at the entrance to the Vrijbroekpark Hotel Ruin. Cycling is not permitted here. You can explore the Hotel Ruin and the Street Art Festival at a walking pace.