Kapellen: Nature, Trails and History

Kapellen combines extensive natural areas with traces of military history, a protected village landscape and distinctive regional characteristics. Those wishing to plan a trip involving nature experiences, culture and outdoor activities will find a range of options here for organising their days. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider which combination of hiking trails, historic sites and culinary discoveries should be the focus of your stay.

Nature Among Heathland, Forest and Water

The De Uitlegger nature reserve covers around 88 hectares and lies on the border between Kapellen and Brasschaat. One entrance is located on Heidestraat-Zuid in Kapellen. The Antitankgracht runs through the area, creating a special habitat for numerous rare animals and plants. Hiking and cycling routes wind their way between rhododendrons and around the large pond. This makes De Uitlegger a practical natural attraction to include in your stay, without every route having to offer the same experience.

The approximately 178-hectare Mastenbos presents a different side of the landscape. The area includes woodland, sandy heathland, rough grassland and tree-lined avenues from former landscape parks. Management of the heathland benefits the rare European nightjar. Ertbrandbos and Fort Ertbrand also shape the surrounding area: together they form a 90-hectare forest and nature reserve linking the wooded areas of Brasschaat and Kapellen with Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide.

Hiking Trails and Military Heritage

Kapellen has nine municipal hiking trails with a total length of around 60 kilometres. For planning your trip, you can combine these trails with individual nature and cultural experiences. At Fort Ertbrand, two walking loops follow the ring moat and provide access to distinctive areas of nature and military heritage.

In Mastenbos, the Loopgravenpad preserves an exceptionally complete German trench line from 1917 with numerous bunkers. The trail is intended for visits seven days a week and throughout the year, except after heavy rainfall. For families with different interests, this historical focus can be a welcome addition to a day devoted purely to hiking: while the landscape provides the setting, the trenches and bunkers bring the history of the place directly to life.

Buildings, Churches and Works of Art

Historic points of interest include De Oude Pastorij, an 18th-century building. It was built in 1775 as a refuge for the Bernardine Fathers from Hemiksem. The Erfgoedcentrum Hoeve Van Paesschen is housed in a historic 17th-century building that was extensively renovated in 2011 and 2012. In Hoogboom, the Sint-Jozefkerk and the entire area surrounding it, including the church square, cemetery and village centre, have been protected since 1976 as a 19th-century village landscape.

Works of art also add distinctive touches. The Poort van Kapellen consists of four interlocking stainless-steel gates and was officially inaugurated on 5 February 2006. The Smoldersklok is 3.5 metres high, weighs more than 1.5 tonnes and consists of 30,000 individual parts. The Sint-Jacobuskerk stands along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, to the tomb of Saint James the Greater.

Special Dates and Practical Information

Saint James is celebrated in Kapellen every year on 25 July; this feast day still determines the date of the annual fair. A regional speciality is Putse Janhagel, an artisanally made, ridged speculoos biscuit with cinnamon, honey and almonds. The recipe has been kept secret for more than 130 years. The biscuits are available exclusively from De Schutter bakery in Puttestraat in Putte.

Special visiting conditions apply to Fort Ertbrand: it can only be accessed when accompanied by a trained fort and bat guide from Natuurpunt. From the end of September to the end of March, it is inaccessible because of the bats' hibernation period; guided visits are possible in spring and summer. The Kapellen Tourist Service also offers the option of booking a qualified guide for historic Kapellen, a nature reserve or historical heritage. These fixed conditions help you plan excursions to suit the season and your preferred pace of travel.

Kapellen as the Starting Point for Your Trip

A holiday apartment in Kapellen is particularly suitable for a trip planned around nature, history and independent discoveries. You can prioritise hiking trails, nature reserves and cultural sites according to your interests and set different focuses for different days. If you would like to extend your search to other places, you can also find Retie, Grobbendonk, Lille, Nijlen, Balen, Wommelgem, Berlaar and Wijnegem here.

For the overarching travel overview: Province of Antwerp.