Bakkersmolen Wildert – De Maatjes Nature Reserve loop from Gooreind

Bike touring routes & trails

Bakkersmolen Wildert – De Maatjes Nature Reserve loop from Gooreind

Easy

4.8

(5)

riders

Bakkersmolen Wildert – De Maatjes Nature Reserve loop from Gooreind

01:45

30.4km

40m

Cycling

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

164 m

Gooreind church

Highlight • Religious Site

Church from 1936-39, designed by architect Jef Huygh (commemorative stone with inscription "October 17, 1937" in the south facade). Built to replace a smaller church from 1866-69 to a design by architect Eugeen Gife. Detached building surrounded by cemetery.
North-south oriented cruciform church with three-aisled nave of three bays with side chapels, shallow transept and choir with semicircular closure; half built west tower. Block brick construction under slate roof; raised transept with ridge turret. Marking buttresses and pointed arch windows.

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8.90 km

Open Agricultural Landscape with Fine Lines

Highlight • Viewpoint

Just stop, read and look.

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13.1 km

The Baker's Mill, Wildert

Highlight • Monument

bakkersmolen.be/wordpress

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13.3 km

Chapel of Our Lady of Banneux

Highlight • Religious Site

The chapel of Our Lady of Banneux already existed in 1827 (according to the land registry); probably renovated in 1897-98. Single-nave brick chapel under a saddle roof (mechanical tiles). Spout-shaped front and rear facades with eaves and top piece. Round-arched wall openings.

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13.4 km

Bakkersmolen Wildert

Highlight • Monument

This mill houses the steam and bakery museum. The mill does not operate during the week, but you are allowed in the mill to visit the museum, you can even go all the way up. But a visit is definitely recommended on Sundays, the mill comes to life, the blades turn, the steam engines roar and a steam train turns in circles, the baking oven emanates delicious smells of freshly baked bread, gingerbread and gingerbread, in the shop buy. After your visit, a drink on a terrace or something delicious to eat in the Molenhoeve, located next to the mill, is definitely recommended, there is a nice menu with the most delicious dishes. The children can ride the train or play on the playground equipment in the park next to the terrace.

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18.8 km

De Maatjes

Nature Reserve

19.4 km

De Maatjes Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

The nature reserve is located in the municipalities of Kalmthout and Wuustwezel, on the Dutch border. It is a small reed marsh with surrounding, sometimes wet grasslands and many rows of trees and wood edges. Together with its Dutch counterpart 'De Matjens', De Maatjes forms a cross-border nature reserve. It is especially important as a habitat for various species of reed and meadow birds. A beautiful area to come for a walk and enjoy the open landscape.

From peat extraction area to nature

The cross-border nature reserve was originally a stream valley with marshes, which is why it is relatively low-lying. Over time, the marshes have been used as a peat extraction area. This happened, among other things, with the construction of the Roosendaalse Vaart. These peat canals are still present in the area and ensure drainage of the area. At the same time, the regional agricultural area increased, especially on higher grounds. The share of extensively managed grasslands decreased. De Maatjes/de Matjens, the lower part of the original area, are the last remnant of the former marshland.
European top nature

De Maatjes is part of the European nature network Natura 2000 and is designated as a bird directive area. For example, it is a priority for De Maatjes that we work on restoring good water management, so that the conditions for bird species such as the curlew, hen harrier and bittern can improve. These are bird species that require a larger habitat than the current area. That is why, among other things, expanding suitable grasslands and reed land is important.

With a number of targeted development works, the Agency for Nature and Forests is restoring the habitat of European protected bird species in De Maatjes. The improvement of nature not only makes the area more valuable for the characteristic marsh species, but also for visitors. The works fit in with the Blue Deal programme, which aims to restore wet nature. These areas are known for their sponge effect and form important carbon storage sites, so that their restoration counteracts the negative effects of climate change. Read more about the works.
Lookout tower De Klot

Be sure to visit De Klot, a 7-metre-high lookout tower from which you can look out over the wide area. The name 'de Klot' refers to a clog, a lump of peat or turf. You will also get more information about the peat past.

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19.5 km

De Klot Observation Tower

Highlight • Viewpoint

And back, you can take the stairs to the first floor but not in the tower.

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29.7 km

Old Lourdes Grotto of Gooreind

Highlight • Religious Site

Centennial Lourdes grotto in Wuustwezel to be demolished for new steel artwork: "But the symbolism of the place will be preserved"

In Gooreind near Wuustwezel, the municipality has started the demolition of the Lourdes grotto. The grotto is already 100 years old and its stability is at risk due to concrete rot. The municipality therefore decided to demolish the grotto and replace it with a new artwork: "It will be really beautiful", says alderman Katrin Kempenaers (CD&V).

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Tip by

30.4 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types