Grobbendonk: Forests, Trails and Mill History

Grobbendonk combines nature experiences with architectural and religious history. The Schupleerpad connects the Kasteelhoeve in Grobbendonk with Natuurpunt’s sheepfold in Vorselaar; Philipsbos offers a different natural setting, with forest, water and heathland. There is also the Priorij Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ten Troon and mills with different designs and power sources. You can tailor your stay to whether you would rather discover a hiking route, forest landscape or historic buildings.

A hiking route and a protected estate

The Schupleerpad is about two kilometres long. Its two endpoints are the Kasteelhoeve in Grobbendonk and Natuurpunt’s sheepfold in Vorselaar. The approximate length gives you an idea of the distance; check current trail conditions before setting out.

Forest, avenues, water and heathland

Philipsbos is a mixed forest with numerous avenues, a body of water and some heathland. These features give the landscape several distinct elements: the avenues, water and heathland all contribute to the character of the area, alongside the forest itself. A specially designed play area for children adds another focus. Families can therefore combine the natural surroundings with a place specifically intended for children, without confusing the play area with the other landscape features.

The two nature attractions offer different ways to explore: the Schupleerpad is a route with named endpoints, while Philipsbos is an area defined by several landscape features. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose between a specific trail connection and a forest with its various landscape elements.

Monastery history and protected heritage

The Priorij Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ten Troon brings together two aspects of history. Parts of the priory are designated as a protected monument; it also belonged to the Augustinian Order of Windesheim. The monument designation describes its protection status, while its affiliation with the order indicates its historical religious connection. Those interested in cultural heritage can thus find both an architectural and a historical point of interest, without confusing the two.

Two mills, two power sources

The Banmolen watermill comprises a mill building dating from the 17th century and has two water wheels. One belonged to the former oil mill and is no longer in use; the other serves the grain mill, which is still operating. This difference makes the two wheels particularly interesting: they represent different uses, and only one serves the grain mill that remains in operation.

The Molen van Bouwel offers a different technical perspective. It is an early-18th-century grain windmill, built as a wooden post mill with an enclosed trestle. The Graanwindmolen van Bouwel is a protected monument. Compared with the Banmolen, the focus here is on wind power, grain milling and the building’s design; at the watermill, by contrast, the two water wheels and their different usage statuses define its character. This comparison illustrates the diversity of the region’s mill heritage without reducing the two sites to the same function.

Tailor your stay to your interests

When looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider what you would like your days to focus on: a well-defined hiking route and forest landscape, or mills and monastery history. Philipsbos adds a specially designed children’s play area to the nature attractions. This lets you prioritise the experiences mentioned according to your family’s interests, without assuming a particular order or a set daily itinerary.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Hoogstraten, Vosselaar, Rumst, Beerse, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Zandhoven, Schoten, Vorselaar.

Go to the main travel overview: Antwerp Province.