In addition to Rivierenhof, another good running route in eastern Antwerp is to combine Boekenbergpark and Te Boelaerpark. These two small parks are 0.5 km apart. Start at Boekenbergpark, which is known for being Europe’s largest ‘ecological’ swimming pool. The park also contains a Natural History Museum and the Kasteel Boekenberg (castle). Do a 1 km loop of the park’s pretty paths, passing by the pool, and exiting onto Cruyslei, and head west for 0.5 km to connect to Te Boelaerpark. You can enjoy 2-3 km along the park’s straight, gravel paths, framed by lovely trees. Exit onto Menegemlei to return to Boekenbergpark. Combining the two parks is 3.5-5 km, depending on how you choose to do the paths.
Longer Run: Combine with Rivierenhof, which is 1.5 km north of Boekenbergpark. Use Sint-Rochusstraat.
Kasteel Boekenberg. Flickr: ArcheoNet Vlaanderen
In addition to Rivierenhof, another good running route in eastern Antwerp is to combine Boekenbergpark and Te Boelaerpark. These two small parks are 0.5 km apart. Start at Boekenbergpark, which is known for being Europe’s largest ‘ecological’ swimming pool. The park also contains a Natural History Museum and the Kasteel Boekenberg (castle). Do a 1 km loop of the park’s pretty paths, passing by the pool, and exiting onto Cruyslei, and head west for 0.5 km to connect to Te Boelaerpark. You can enjoy 2-3 km along the park’s straight, gravel paths, framed by lovely trees. Exit onto Menegemlei to return to Boekenbergpark. Combining the two parks is 3.5-5 km, depending on how you choose to do the paths.
Longer Run: Combine with Rivierenhof, which is 1.5 km north of Boekenbergpark. Use Sint-Rochusstraat.
This 5-mile 'runseeing' tour is a neat way to see the highlights of Old Town Antwerp, enjoy a loop around Stadstpark, and the paths around the iconic Museum aan de Stroom. The compact Old Town is a maze of mainly pedestrianized streets and squares.
A route highlighting the east side of the Scheldt River, from the Sint-Annatunnel in central Antwerp to the Noordkasteel park, up to 6.5 km one-way. Nearly all off-road. Includes a loop around the Museum aan de Stroomm. Good add-on and side options.
A route highlighting the west side of the Scheldt River, from the Sint-Annatunnel to Sint-Annabos Park, up to 5.25 km one-way. Nearly all off-road. Great views of the river, marina, Old Antwerp. Can add on with park & preserve paths, and our east side route.
Modern park built on a former railbed has a an open and industrial feel. A loop of the paved/gravel paths is ~2.5 km. Can combine with our route along the east side of the Scheldt River for a longer run.
A large park in eastern Antwerp, located on the former estate of the Sterckshof Castle. Numerous gravel paths wind around nicely landscaped grounds of this 130-hectare park, passing numerous small ponds and rivers. Easy to stitch together a 5-7 km run.
This is one of our favorite runs in Antwerp. Gorgeous paths around the properties of former estates are now a 90 hectare park and open-air sculpture museum.
A fun 10 km run around two forts. Only an 8-minute train ride from central Antwerp to the Mortsel-Oude God station. Paths around the old forts and moats that are now parks, and a 1.5 km connection between the forts on decent roads and bike paths.
The Hobokense Polder Nature Preserve, bordering the Scheldt River is a lovely spot for a run. There's a nice variety among the 9 km of paths: woods, grasslands, a riparian swamp, and a 2 km section along the river. Only 15 minutes by train from central Antwerp.
A worth-it destination run. This 60 km² nature preserve has many km of gorgeous trails, through stately tree-lined 'avenues', heathland, grassland, dunes, & more. There are several well-marked hiking loops that make for a fabulous run.
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