The Hoboken Polder forms a green and wonderfully quiet oasis in a Scheldt bend close to the city of Antwerp. This route goes along the ditches of the Hoboken Polder, Broekslot, Rallegat and Ruitersplas.
Distance: 7 km.
Time: 1h30.
Grade: Easy.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: Flat.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: White signposts with A.S Adventure logo.
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Nature on the banks of the Scheldt.
The Hobokense Polder forms a green and wonderfully quiet oasis in a Scheldt bend close to the city. Natuurpunt lets nature take its course as much as possible. This results in a varied landscape and more than 500 different plants. In this way, orchids provide extra color in late spring. A decking path helps you to bridge wet strips. At the viewing hut and the viewing walls you spot rare birds. All sorts of amphibians frolic in the ponds and ditches. The grazing Galloway cattle and Konik horses complete the picture. This walking route goes along the ditches of the Hobokense Polder, Broekslot, Rallegat and Ruitersplas. You pass the viewing hut and the bird wall and you walk straight through the grazing block of the galloway cattle and the konik horses to reach the Scheldt dike. Then it goes to the Polder forest to return to the starting point.
In rainy weather, put on boots or waterproof footwear.
POI 1 - Hoboken Polder nature reserve.
Numerous animals feel at home in this valuable nature area. Fox, roe deer and polecat enjoy the peace in the thickets and swamps. In the ponds and ditches you will find a wealth of amphibians such as the green and brown frog, the common toad and the alpine water salamander. Migratory birds come to power here and many ducks, water rail, oriole and bluethroat breed here. Innumerable insects and other small animals also crawl, fly and swim around here, such as 300 species of moths and a fly that was not found anywhere else, the Pseudonapommyza hobokensis! Due to its location in an urban environment, the Hoboken Polder fulfills a function as a green lung and garden for the city. Thanks to a management agreement with the City of Antwerp, Natuurpunt was able to further expand this area into a piece of nature where everyone is welcome. Nature relies on a group of volunteers and professional employees of Natuurpunt who manage the area. Nature can take its course in most of the Hoboken Polder. This is everywhere where you will find woods and thickets. The grass and reed lands are managed to prevent that everything evolves into forest. Gentle galloway cattle and konik horses help with the management. You will undoubtedly come across them during your walk, because they can roam freely in the grazing block.
More information:
Natuurpunt.
www.natuurpunt.be
