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Colony - Eastern Rampart – Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7 loop from Kolonie Merksplas

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Hiking trails & Routes

Colony - Eastern Rampart – Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7 loop from Kolonie Merksplas

Moderate

4.5

(22)

122

hikers

Colony - Eastern Rampart – Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7 loop from Kolonie Merksplas

02:50

11.2km

20m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 10, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.74 km

Colony - Eastern Rampart

Highlight • Historical Site

In order to prevent the increase in escape attempts, a ring moat was dug from 1893, approximately 10 meters wide and almost 7 km long. The marked walk 'The Escape Path' follows this ring moat / ring wall. The historic swimming pool is located on the eastern section. A beautiful walking path, but be aware that it can be quite busy here.

Translated by Google •

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2.77 km

Het Biesven

Highlight • Lake

The Biesven was dug for the drainage of this low-lying area. It is ecologically important for several target species, especially waterfowl.

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3.38 km

Water and Fields

Highlight • Trail

On Saturdays it is very quiet to walk here

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10.2 km

Quarantine stable 19th century

Highlight • Historical Site

Behind the Grote Hoeve and the open hay and straw barns in the meadow near the West ring wall is the Quarantine Stable. This distance of 400 meters between the aforementioned buildings was very important. This stable served to keep the purchased cattle in isolation for a few weeks. A process of animals was put under supervision to nip any contagious disease in the bud. After 40 days, the animals were allowed to join the other farm animals.

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10.2 km

Memorial John William Harper V.C 29/09/1944

Highlight • Monument

Historical location where the Polar Bears forced a breakthrough in the liberation of Merksplas on Friday September 29, 1944. At the Battle of Merksplas, J.W. Harper's life.

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10.5 km

Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7

Highlight • Structure

Beautifully restored open haylofts.
These large open barns now serve as a location for markets, events and parties. Ideal place to shelter from rain or bright sunshine.

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10.7 km

Colony 7 Visitor Center

Highlight • Historical Site

Get to know Colony 5-7 here!
The visitor center tells the story of Wortel and Merksplas Colony. Walk at your own pace through this former pigsty of the Grote Hoeve in Merksplas. Watch the animated film about the origins of the Colonies of Benevolence, discover the personal stories of the vagabonds who once stayed here or fly virtually over Colony 5-7! Read more about the animals and plants that feel at home in Colony 5-7. Visitor center Kolonie 5-7 is free and wheelchair accessible. Here you will also find sanitary facilities and parking.

OPENING HOURS :
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

More information at colony57.be/Visit/ontdek Visitorscentrum-Colony-5-7

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10.8 km

Grote Hoeve

Highlight • Historical Site

The Grote Hoeve ("Big Court") was built in 1880 according to a design by Victor Besme in monastic architecture. The buildings are arranged along a large rectangular courtyard.
You can still see from the former stables that dairy cows, sheep, pigs and cows lived here. Potatoes, corn and oats were also grown here - all the work was done by the "tramps" who lived (or had to) live here.

At Brasserie Colonie 7 you can fortify yourself in the listed living quarters of the Grote Hoeve - be sure to try the farm ice cream. Yummy!

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11.2 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.21 km

3.39 km

2.07 km

269 m

220 m

Surfaces

4.33 km

2.71 km

2.45 km

1.66 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Sunday 21 June

29°C

19°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 23, 2025,Plassen en Kolonies - Merksplas

Another beautiful day. Surprisingly how much greenery there is around the colony...

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Colony - Eastern Rampart – Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7 loop from Kolonie Merksplas

Colony - Eastern Rampart

Het Biesven

Water and Fields

Quarantine stable 19th century

Memorial John William Harper V.C 29/09/1944

Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7

Colony 7 Visitor Center

Grote Hoeve

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