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Fort of Brasschaat – Old railway loop from De Uitlegger

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Hiking trails & Routes

Fort of Brasschaat – Old railway loop from De Uitlegger

Moderate

4.6

(88)

237

hikers

Fort of Brasschaat – Old railway loop from De Uitlegger

02:48

11.1km

10m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: June 28, 2026

Waypoints

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656 m

Antitank Ditch 1937 - 1939

Highlight (Segment) • Historical Site

The Antwerp Antitankgracht (also incorrectly called the Antitank Canal) is an artificial watercourse that forms a large quarter circle (from north to east) 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.

The moat was constructed between 1937 and 1939 with the intention of stopping enemy (German) tanks and other rolling stock before they could reach Antwerp. However, the anti-tank ditch played no significant role. The canal has a saw-shaped course with straight sections of several hundred meters. Gun bunkers were built at each corner to cover the straights. Sluice bunkers had to keep the water level. The water for the canal was taken from the Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten Canal.

The Antitankgracht has now evolved into a large walking and nature connection area, connecting various nature reserves and forests.

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3.08 km

Military Railway Line Kapellen–Brasschaat

Highlight • Structure

At this location you will find a railway that encourages you to trace the past and the present. The railway is located in an area with a long military history. In Brasschaat, soldiers practiced on the Klein and later the Groot Schietveld. Belgium's first military airport was also built here. The forts of Kapellen and Brasschaat are nearby and the railway route crosses a German bunker line from 1917 and the famous anti-tank ditch. The military track was built to easily transport goods, equipment and troops from the civilian network to the barracks.

The railway is no longer used by the army and is now located in the middle of a beautiful nature reserve. You can cycle on the rail route from April to October. Reserve a family bike or a group bike and cycle a total of 10 km from Kapellen to Brasschaat and back!

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3.57 km

Trail through the Military Domain

Highlight • Trail

Very nice, narrow walkway with pieces on tree roots

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4.39 km

Heide Trail Kalmthoutse Heide

Highlight • Trail

Beautiful, come and admire Erica's most beautiful purple dress in the right season.
You can look, don't touch...

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8.09 km

Antitankgracht

Lake

8.51 km

Fort of Brasschaat

Highlight • Historical Site

The Fort of Brasschaat has been a military domain for more than 100 years. Bats currently find their home there.

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10.8 km

Shelter 'De Uitlegger'

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Shelter and/or resting place in the middle of nature reserve De Uitlegger.

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11.0 km

Railway bunker checkpoint 1914

Highlight • Historical Site

In August 1914 it was decided by the army top and the Ministry of Railways to build a strategic railway line on the inside of the outer ring of fortresses of Stelling Antwerp. This ensured a rapid supply of material and troops.

Today the track is used for rail bicycles.
You cycle on the same single track back and forth with a break between the outward and return journey. First you pedal about 5 km from Kapellen to Brasschaat, where you can rest, have something to eat and drink, or continue exploring the area for an hour. Afterwards you leave again in the opposite direction from Brasschaat to Kapellen.

This railway bunker is accessible and has an embrasure aimed at the track bed.

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11.1 km

Old railway

Highlight • Structure

The railway is located in an area with a long military history. In Brasschaat, soldiers practiced on the Klein and later the Groot Schietveld. The first military airport in Belgium was also built here. The forts of Kapellen and Brasschaat are nearby and the railway line crosses a German bunker line from 1917 and the famous anti-tank ditch. The military track was built to easily transport goods, equipment and troops from the civilian network to the barracks.
The line is now used for rail cycling from April to October.

Translated by Google •

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11.1 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.28 km

2.42 km

1.15 km

275 m

Surfaces

4.44 km

2.89 km

2.24 km

1.46 km

104 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Today

Friday 3 July

26°C

12°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

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Fort of Brasschaat – Old railway loop from De Uitlegger

Antitank Ditch 1937 - 1939

Military Railway Line Kapellen–Brasschaat

Trail through the Military Domain

Heide Trail Kalmthoutse Heide

Fort of Brasschaat

Shelter 'De Uitlegger'

Railway bunker checkpoint 1914

Old railway

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