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A Mikse walk

  • Author: Eric Dengler

The Mik Estate

This walk goes from the park estate De Mik to the nature reserve De Inslag and via the antitank canal to the E10 lake.

Distance: 14 km.

Time: 3h30.

Grade: Moderate.

Type: Circular.

Gps Track: Yes.

Route description: No.

Wheelchair: Not suitable.

Dog: Allowed.

Height gain: Flat.

Trail: Paved and unpaved.

Marking: None.

Hiking shoes recommended.

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De Mik and De Inslag.

The walk starts in Maria Ter Heide at the Mikerf petting zoo. Via the cobblestone road we go to the nature reserve De Inslag. The Inslag or Inslaen was already mentioned around 1600. The name refers to exploitation. The original heathland area was developed as arable land and pasture. Parts were later forested.

Via a loop we return to the beginning of the park domain De Mik. The Mik comes from the name Micke that appeared for the first time in 1251. The name comes from a mik gallow that once stood here. Via the Golempath (De Golem was designed by artist Koen Vanmechelen) and the old entrance gate we go around the park and by the castle we arrive at the other side of the park.

Keep right along the stream until you reach the Antitank Canal. The Antwerp Antitankgracht, also called the Antitank Canal, is an artificial watercourse that forms a large quarter circle (from north to east) around the city of Antwerp. The moat has a length of approximately 33 km and is at least 6 meters wide. It connects the Scheldt at Berendrecht with the Albert Canal in Oelegem. The moat was built between 1937 and 1939 with the intention of stopping enemy German tanks and other rolling stock before they could reach Antwerp.

We follow the canal for a short while and then turn right and walk all the way around the E10 lake, a remnant of an old canal. When we are back under the bridge of the motorway, we cross the Antitank Canal, and via a few forest roads we return to the Mik park domain. Still keep right, around the meadow, and we arrive back at the petting zoo.

The Mik estate
Map & Poi's.