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Fort Oelegem – Totem Pole Vrieselhof loop from Oelegem

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Fort Oelegem – Totem Pole Vrieselhof loop from Oelegem

Easy

4.7

(63)

310

hikers

Fort Oelegem – Totem Pole Vrieselhof loop from Oelegem

01:22

5.41km

10m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: May 6, 2026

Waypoints

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1.44 km

Fort Oelegem

Highlight • Historical Site

The fort was built between 1909 and 1914 to prevent an invasion. After 1918, the fort was rebuilt, its weapons replaced, and its ventilation and emergency exits were adapted.

During World War II, the German Wehrmacht used the fort as a storage facility. After the liberation, it served the US Army as an anti-aircraft defense center against V1 rockets.

In 1947, the fort's military use finally ended, and it became private property.

Today, it is home to approximately 1,300 bats. On certain days and by appointment, you can visit it as part of a guided tour.

Translated by Google •

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1.51 km

Bomb crater at the Boardwalk

Highlight • Natural Monument

This round bomb pit is the result of a bomb impact. According to local residents, it was a V1 rocket that crashed here in the last months of the war. American units were stationed at the Fort van Oelegem with an anti-aircraft battery to shoot down V-missiles flying over on their way to the Port of Antwerp. Read highlight Kalmthout Anti-aircraft guns.

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1.57 km

Boardwalk to Fort Oelegem

Highlight • Trail

The decking ensures that you do not get wet feet here. The path keeps you on the straight and narrow while protecting the vulnerable forest floor at the same time. Thus animals and plants live undisturbed. Know that as a human being you are a visitor here. Look for the breeding ground of the Kingfisher. They dig their burrows in the root balls of fallen trees.

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3.02 km

Vrieselhof

Highlight • Castle

pleasant resting place, price of drinks unknown

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3.25 km

Ridges

Highlight • Forest

The elevated woodlands bordered by ditches are silent witnesses to the landscape of forestry activity from the last century.
The trees have been planted on rebates on this wet forest floor. These are elongated embankments, interspersed with ditches. On the high strips, trees are dry and can fix their roots better, the ditches serve as drainage.

This method has been used in forestry from the 19th century to harvest more production wood. During the economic crisis in the 1930s, the unemployed were often employed to construct rebates as part of forest clearing projects.

Deer live in the dense forest. Roe deer like to hide in this varied landscape. They are picky and eat only the most nutritious parts of the tastiest plants. Roe deer live alone or in small groups. they feel fast; rushed. That is why dogs must be kept on a leash during a visit to the Vrieselhof.

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3.81 km