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Grote Hoeve – Colony 7 Visitor Center loop from Kolonie Merksplas

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Hiking trails & Routes

Grote Hoeve – Colony 7 Visitor Center loop from Kolonie Merksplas

Easy

4.6

(28)

173

hikers

Grote Hoeve – Colony 7 Visitor Center loop from Kolonie Merksplas

01:17

5.04km

10m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 13, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

986 m

Colony Church

Highlight • Religious Site

1.32 km

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Highlight • Historical Site

The Merksplas penitentiary was built in 1825 as a colony to accommodate beggars and vagrants. After WWII it evolved into a semi-open prison with a community regime. Today it is a closed institution for convicts.

The penal institution has been a protected monument since 1999 and is located in a classified landscape.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.53 km

Gentse Wijk, Merksplas

Highlight • Forest

2.51 km

The Basin - Historic Swimming Pool Colony

Highlight • Lake

Historic Swimming Pool was dug manually by vagrants in the 19th century. The 'Bassin' of yesteryear had the allure of the French Riviera and was only allowed for staff. There was also a sunbathing lawn and a beach. There is now a swimming ban. Some sofas invite you to enjoy. A constructed pedestrian bridge provides the connection over the Ringwal Oost.

Translated by Google •

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3.93 km

Vagrants' Cemetery Merksplas Colony (Landlopersbegraafplaats Merksplas-Kolonie)

Highlight • Historical Site

The cemetery contains 227 anonymous white crosses. Most of them have no name, only a number. In total, more than 6,000 vagrants are buried here. The cemetery consists of three plots, each with its own entrance and its own story.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.77 km

Grote Hoeve

Highlight • Historical Site

The Grote Hoeve ("Big Court") was built in 1880 according to a design by Victor Besme in monastic architecture. The buildings are arranged along a large rectangular courtyard.
You can still see from the former stables that dairy cows, sheep, pigs and cows lived here. Potatoes, corn and oats were also grown here - all the work was done by the "tramps" who lived (or had to) live here.

At Brasserie Colonie 7 you can fortify yourself in the listed living quarters of the Grote Hoeve - be sure to try the farm ice cream. Yummy!

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.88 km

Colony 7 Visitor Center

Highlight • Historical Site

Get to know Colony 5-7 here!
The visitor center tells the story of Wortel and Merksplas Colony. Walk at your own pace through this former pigsty of the Grote Hoeve in Merksplas. Watch the animated film about the origins of the Colonies of Benevolence, discover the personal stories of the vagabonds who once stayed here or fly virtually over Colony 5-7! Read more about the animals and plants that feel at home in Colony 5-7. Visitor center Kolonie 5-7 is free and wheelchair accessible. Here you will also find sanitary facilities and parking.

OPENING HOURS :
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

More information at colony57.be/Visit/ontdek Visitorscentrum-Colony-5-7

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.95 km

Colonie 7 Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant

Highlight • Restaurant

delicious breakfast and free hiking trails

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.04 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.40 km

657 m

477 m

449 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

2.79 km

1.67 km

520 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Sunday 12 July

29°C

15°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Grote Hoeve – Colony 7 Visitor Center loop from Kolonie Merksplas

Colony Church

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Gentse Wijk, Merksplas

The Basin - Historic Swimming Pool Colony

Vagrants' Cemetery Merksplas Colony (Landlopersbegraafplaats Merksplas-Kolonie)

Grote Hoeve

Colony 7 Visitor Center

Colonie 7 Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant

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