Cycling along the port of Antwerp

You may not immediately think of cycling when you think of the port of Antwerp, but more and more enthusiasts are traversing this area on their steel steed. They enjoy the vibe of the port authority, the Scheldt and the small-scale nature reserves.

harbor dock
The route starts at Bistro de Neus. Grab a cozy terrace here before you cycle into the Opstal valley: a small-scale nature reserve with open water, reed marshes and forest. You pass Reigershof Castle, a country estate that dates back to the seventeenth century. Cycling through the harbor docks you will experience the characteristic activity of one of the largest world ports. On the other side of the road you will see the Galgeschoor, a bird-rich mud flats and salt marshes. What a contrast!

Fort Lillo
In the Scheldt harbor there are still a few former fortresses that served as protection against the Spaniards, such as the sixteenth-century Fort Lillo. Within the walls is a small, cozy residential area. Cycling along the Scheldt you look out over the rippling water, on the other side are polders, woods and residential areas. To the right of the village of Hoevenen you cycle past Het Rood, a forest on the transition from the polders to the Kempen. What a variety!