Discover Essen: Heathland, Dunes, Trails and Culture

Essen presents itself as a rural destination characterised by heathland, coniferous and deciduous trees, dunes and predominantly pastureland. Added to this are signposted hiking trails, cross-border cycling routes and special places connected with regional history. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Essen can therefore easily plan their stay according to their preferred pace of travel: among nature trails, sporting tours, technical discoveries and cultural history.

Experience nature and explore on foot

Essen has 18 signposted hiking trails in five districts. The Wildertse Duintjes form a distinctive landscape: a nature area in Essen-Wildert with hilly terrain, deciduous and coniferous trees, and a pond inhabited by toads and salamanders. The 3 km-long Natuurleerpad runs there along the Kalmthoutsesteenweg beside the Wildert viaduct. This educational nature trail covers flora and fauna, includes practical activities and is also aimed at children aged 8 and over.

For longer hikes, the GR5 long-distance trail passes through Essen. It connects the North Sea with the Riviera, thus offering a completely different perspective from the short nature trail. Another option is the 11.8 km-long green loop in the Horendonkse Bossen, with a connecting route from De Bosrust.

Cycling routes between the border, farms and dunes

Cyclists will find several differently designed options in Essen. The “Over de grens” route is a 40 km cross-border cycling tour starting from Essen. It runs along the four neighbouring Dutch municipalities of Zundert, Rucphen, Roosendaal and Woensdrecht. Along the way, 21 information panels tell the story of the border region, including the Doodendraad, the border station, former quarantine barns and smuggling.

Those who want to explore the landscape more extensively by bike can choose from additional formats. The 39 km MTB connecting loop runs 75 percent on unpaved paths and passes through all districts of Essen. “Toeren langs Essense boeren” comprises four rural cycling routes along 27 active farms in the municipality. A 35 km cycling tour passes the Horendonkse bossen and the Wildertse duintjes. Sporty cyclists can also take a cross-border gravel route starting at Hemelrijk Sports Park and running across heathland, through forests and dunes, with technical loops.

Culture and unusual places to visit

The Cart Museum conveys the history of non-motorised transport through more than 300 vehicles. It is accessible to wheelchair users and has several rest areas as well as an adapted toilet. The museum is approximately a 10-minute walk from Essen railway station. From there, trains run to Roosendaal and Antwerp, which may be useful orientation when planning your journey.

Outside the museum too, Essen combines landscape and regional history. Turfbeleving De Mikvaart is a rest area dedicated to peat, with wooden sculptures of a peat cutter, a peat carrier and a peat boat. An information panel explains peat transport; the rest area is located at cycling junction 54. The stone Bakkersmolen grain windmill belongs to the Oberkruier, or smock mill, type and was built between 1980 and 1982 based on a design by architect Lou Jansen. Robotland complements these historical impressions with modern transport and robotic technologies, which visitors can discover there in an educational and playful way.

Which location suits your trip?

When choosing a holiday apartment in Essen, the first consideration is whether you primarily want to hike, cycle, discover culture or combine different interests. The signposted trails and nature areas favour trip planning with plenty of time outdoors. Those interested in border history can specifically include the “Over de grens” route in their plans. For a stay with children aged 8 and over, the Natuurleerpad is a suitable specific nature focus; technology enthusiasts will find a different emphasis at Robotland. Accommodation in Essen can therefore serve as a starting point for very different types of day plans, without every route having the same character.

As additional destinations on the same overview, you will find Wildert. Other locations are Poppel, Zwijndrecht, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Aartselaar, Brasschaat, Kontich and Hoogstraten.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Province of Antwerp.