Jan van der Nootpad

It is wonderful to cycle through nature around the Belgian town of Brecht. A beautiful environment where the Renaissance poet Jan van der Noot drew his inspiration in the sixteenth century.

Brechtse Heide
The first kilometers are wonderful to cycle through a mosaic of fields, meadows, stream valleys and old farms. It's old-fashioned quiet here. At junction 38 you cycle through the Leeuwwerk, a nature reserve that was created by clay pits that filled with rainwater. The wells were created by excavating clay for the many brickworks that were once located here. Between junctions 99 and 48 you can enjoy views over the Brechtse Heide and pass a Trappist abbey.

The Mik
At junction 45 you cross the Antitankgracht, which was dug between 1937 and 1939 to defend Antwerp. The Fort of 's-Gravenwezel is also located here. A little further on you pass the Castle of 's-Gravenwezel, which originally dates from the thirteenth century. You will also pass the Catershof, a nineteenth-century castle. In the beautiful De Mik park - a former arboretum - you can make a stopover on the cozy terrace of the Mikerf Petting Zoo.