Attractions and Places To See around Wichelen - Top 20

Wichelen is rich in natural beauty, especially along the Scheldt river. A prominent feature is Kalkense Meersen, an extensive nature reserve ideal for hiking and cycling. You can also visit the Peat Pits of Berlare Broek, which showcase fossil meander bends of the Scheldt with an alternation of ponds and forests. The Bergenmeersen, known for its freshwater mudflats and salt marshes, is excellent for birdwatching.

Yes, Wichelen offers extensive opportunities for hiking and cycling. The Kalkense Meersen nature reserve has numerous routes, including a hiking route network, Kalkense Meersen Donkmeer, providing 165 kilometers of green tranquility. The Scheldt riverbanks also offer picturesque views perfect for walks and bike rides. For more specific routes, you can explore guides like Hiking around Wichelen or Road Cycling Routes around Wichelen.

For scenic views, the Scheldt river and its U-bends through Wichelen offer picturesque vistas, especially from the riverbanks. The Kalkense Meersen provides beautiful views over its vast landscape, particularly from the Scheldt dike. Additionally, the Ring dike offers an impressive view over the open lake landscape and wooded areas.

Wichelen has several notable historical landmarks. These include the Sint-Gertrudiskerk (Saint Gertrude's Church) and the Oud-Gemeentehuis Wichelen (Old Town Hall Wichelen). In Serskamp, a sub-municipality, you can find the Sint-Denijskerk (Saint Denis Church). Other heritage sites include the Memoriekruis Sebastiaen Van Havermaet (Memorial Cross) and the Sint-Annakapel (Saint Anne's Chapel).

While Berlare Castle itself is not open to the public, its surrounding Berlare Castle Park is accessible to walkers and cyclists. This large landscaped garden features avenues, a forest, and ponds, offering a pleasant green space to explore.

Many of Wichelen's natural attractions are suitable for families. The Kalkense Meersen, Boardwalk Trail, and Peat Pits of Berlare Broek are all categorized as family-friendly. The Berlare Castle Park also provides a lovely setting for a family outing.

Wichelen is home to unique natural features shaped by the Scheldt river. The Peat Pits of Berlare Broek are fossil meander bends of the Scheldt, showcasing historical geological processes and peat formation. The Kalkense Meersen is a controlled floodplain where water constantly interacts with the land, creating a unique ecosystem where you can observe Galloway cattle and thousands of meadow birds.

The region is well-suited for exploration by foot or bicycle, with extensive hiking and cycling networks connecting many attractions. For a unique experience, you can use the ferry service at Schellebelle to cross the Scheldt, which is integrated into the local walking and cycling routes.

The tranquil landscapes and outdoor opportunities in Wichelen, particularly along the Scheldt river and in nature reserves like Kalkense Meersen, are enjoyable throughout the warmer months. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and cycling, while summer allows for longer days to explore. Birdwatching is particularly rewarding in areas like Bergenmeersen during migration seasons.

While specific accessibility information for all trails is not detailed, many of the paths along the Scheldt riverbanks and within the nature reserves are relatively flat, making them suitable for various mobility levels. The Boardwalk Trail in the Serskampse beek valley offers a distinct walking experience, though some sections might have uneven planks.

Visitors particularly enjoy the profound sense of peace and the natural beauty of Wichelen. The vastness of areas like Kalkense Meersen, with its rushing wind, silence, and flushing water, is highly appreciated. The extensive cycling and walking opportunities along the Scheldt and through diverse landscapes are also a major draw, offering a chance to connect with nature and observe abundant birdlife.