The Hobokense Polders nature reserve in Antwerp is definitely worth a visit. Find out which fauna and flora can be found in the park and go on a virtual hike of the AS-adventure route. Self-made photos provide as complete a picture as possible of this beautiful polder area on the Scheldt to make your experience even more real.
The Hobokense Polder in Antwerp, something for everyone
At a distance of just over 10 kilometers, starting from the Antwerp city center, you can find a little piece of heaven on earth. Prepare yourself for a surprising walk through an area of 100 hectares of unexpected greenery, in the middle of an industrial area on the Scheldt.
This Polder is managed by VZW Natuurpunt. Mainly a hard core of volunteers ensures that the area is neat and tidy. In this beautifully maintained nature reserve there is room for fauna and flora. For example, no fewer than four different types of orchids grow. From the end of May to the end of June you can go to the park for the orchid spotting. Let everything grow and bloom, then the walkers after you will also enjoy it. In addition to these orchids, there are also numerous impressive blossoms present throughout the year. This is a seasonal hike: depending on the time of year your experiences will be different.
In December 2012, two photo traps were placed in the reserve. For example, the employees of nature point have been able to determine that a number of mammals also live in the park, including a pair of foxes and at least one stone marten. In addition to these mammals, there is a very special insect, only identified in Hoboken, namely the Hoboken Fly. It is a very small fly, barely two millimeters in size, belonging to the species of leaf miners. This fly species is characterized by having larvae that form tunnels (mine) in the leaves of plants. Bird watchers among us can indulge in three viewpoints specially designed for them. And finally, because of the vastness and variety of the area, there is also a very extensive butterfly population in this beautiful polder. Effective, so there is something for everyone.
The AS-Adventure walk
You can start this walk in many different places and still choose which of the four routes you want to do. A good starting point is at the end of the Boombekelaan, at the Hoboken Yacht Club. That is on the attached card at the far left in the bottom corner. As you can see, not immediately a starting place for the average visitor and therefore you will bump into fewer other walkers here. There are four different walks, which can be combined with each other. There is a wheelchair path, a walk of 1 kilometer, one of 3.5 kilometers and one of 7.5 kilometers.
Downsides to the walk
- If you look closely at the map and the purple walking route, you will see that making mistakes is very easy. This is especially the case at the Grote Leigracht. Taking a picture of the ticket on site at the start of your walk or simply bringing a printed version of it is recommended for those who want to get the most out of their hiking experience.
- Not all pictures are clearly indicated during the trip. Sometimes a pole also seems to have disappeared, but pay attention is the message.
- Although the area is well maintained, it has suffered from vandalism and this leaves its mark. Also, not all walkers are equally environmentally friendly and you will occasionally encounter some litter.
What makes this walk a must
- The AS-Adventure route takes you through most of the nature reserve. You walk along the Scheldt, through heathland, along a pond, through the meadow, on special raised wooden footpaths in a swampy area and through a forest. And all this over a distance of only 7.5 kilometers. So variety is guaranteed.
- In the polder you can find various fauna and flora.
- The entire nature reserve is enriched with educational information boards and beautiful vantage points.
The greatest asset of the Hoboken Polders is the demarcated area of 24 hectares where large grazers are used all year round to graze the area. You will find a herd of Galloway cattle and Konik horses. Adults as well as calves and foals graze in complete freedom. If you were to walk your dog, make sure to keep it on a leash. In the specially demarcated area where the large grazers are, it is clearly indicated on signs that there have already been incidents with calves and dogs in the past. This can also be seen in the animals themselves, which act very protective when you get too close to their young with your four-legged friend.
When you have started the walk on the Boombekelaan, you walk the last part of the AS route along the Scheldt. Here you will be treated to the combination of industry in a beautiful and wide rural environment. Complete with church turrets demarcated in an expansive view. During the entire walk you will feel the love for nature of the managers of this piece of green. Special thanks go to VZW Natuurpunt for making this piece of green into what it is.