Antitank Canal Route

36 - 37 - 68 - 69 - 99 - 48 - 47 - 12 - 63 - 8 - 2 - 89 - 59 - 60 - 71 - 70 - 56 - 57 - 26 - 81 - 45 - 42 - 41 - 36

What once began as a military structure is now an attractive ribbon of nature that invites walking, biking, relaxing and exploring. The Antitank ditch dates back to just before World War II. It was once part of an entire network of defensive lines, forts and bunkers around Antwerp. It had to stop enemy tanks and slow down troops. After the war, nature took over from the military. Very special places emerged with a great diversity of plants and animals. Many species that found their permanent home here have often become rare in other places in Flanders. The Antitankgracht is a real animal highway that allows animals to move from one nature reserve to another. Besides the beautiful nature, there is of course also the impressive military heritage in the immediate vicinity of the moat: forts, bunkers and all sorts of structures that served a military purpose at the time, but have long since ceased to be used for that purpose. Thanks to Joseph de Hasque, the pioneer of the Flemish Fortification Center Simon Stevin, the Antitank moat and the surrounding military heritage were extensively inventoried and protected. Finally, you will also see many beautiful old castle estates along the route. Both starting points are already a good example of this.