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The Antwerp Kempen: from heathland to Zilvermeer
From the vast Kalmthoutse Heide to the water-rich Zilvermeer — heathland, woodland and open water, all made accessible.
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The Antwerp Kempen have two sides to them: the tranquillity of the Kalmthoutse Heide Border Park and the water-rich recreational opportunities of the Zilvermeer in Mol. Together, they form a rich mix of heathland, woodland and water, with accessible accommodation and facilities that take you beyond the tarmac. A real experience for the whole family.
The place
The Kalmthoutse Heide Border Park is one of the most distinctive nature reserves in Flanders and the Netherlands: vast heathlands, woodland and sand dunes, with a long-standing focus on accessibility through routes, facilities and aids.
Not far from that green tranquillity lies the Zilvermeer in Mol, a leisure park centred around a large, deep lake, featuring water features, woods and a network of paths — and a
a particularly accessible range of activities. Together, the heathland and water offer you a choice of very different nature experiences.
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The accommodation
Hotel Jerom — on the edge of the countryside
Hotel Jerom is situated right at the entrance to the Kalmthoutse Heide: you literally just have to cross the road to step into 6,000 hectares of countryside. The owner, Jorg, combines an eco-friendly approach with fresh, local produce and a modern, cosy interior. All floors are accessible by lift, and one room has been made fully accessible — with grab rails by the toilet and shower and a shower stool. There is a car park at the entrance for quick and easy check-in.
The Berksvenhoeve — farm life with personalised care
In Olmen (Balen), in the wider area around the Zilvermeer, Erika and Jerom run De Berksvenhoeve: a barrier-free, spacious and comfortable accommodation with an A+ rating, set on a 3.5-hectare hobby farm. Guests are welcome to get involved in farm life — collecting eggs, feeding the animals, baking bread or having a picnic in the meadow, amongst goats, sheep, donkeys, chickens and ducks. A special feature is Hospitality+ (from Tourism Province of Antwerp): if you need physiotherapy, nursing care, a hoist or dietary advice, Erika and Jerom will put you in touch with a reliable care provider from their network. In this way, rural tranquillity and practical care go hand in hand.
The activities
The great thing about this region is that these aids literally open up the landscape. They aren’t just adaptations that isolate you, but a ticket to experiencing nature in the real world.
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Heathland in the Grenspark
In the Kalmthout Heath Semi-paved routes have been developed, such as those around Klein Zwitserland and Ravenhof: sturdy enough for wheels and natural enough to enjoy. With the electric Cadweazle all-terrain wheelchair, you can also follow a permanently marked route of around 4.1 km through heathland and woodland — a proper nature walk, not just a ‘wheelchair option’. Wombat and Cadweazle all-terrain wheelchairs are also available at the De Vroente visitor centre.
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Walking and boating on the Zilvermeer
Around the Zilvermeer, there are accessible walking routes through the edges of the woods and along the water’s edge — genuine experiences that don’t end just because the tarmac runs out. For those who want to go a bit further, there is a wheelchair-friendly walk a 6.71 km route along the Molse Lakes. You can hire all-terrain wheelchairs there to get onto the beach and into the water, and even go wheelchair diving. On the water, there is Sailability supervised sailing using adapted, stable boats and accessible pontoons, whilst CrazyIdee A funeral service using the FloatXPress water train and the WheelWaver wheelchair boat.
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Even more ways to explore the Kempen
Would you prefer to cycle or drive? The The Accessible Kempen Route is a multi-day cycling holiday that ends at the Zilvermeer, whilst the accessible Abbey Route takes you by car past abbeys, nature and heritage sites, with accessible stops along the way. Nearby, the Sas4 Tower offers a panoramic view that you can also experience from the ground via virtual reality.
Is there accessible nature in your area too?
Do you work for a tourist board, local authority or regional organisation, and would you like to make nature accessible in your area too? Our centre of expertise can help you get started.