Prepare to be amazed by the Kalmthoutse Heide and marvel at the exceptional dune landscape. Extensive bogs and beautiful pine forests provide magnificent panoramas that are few and far between. The synergy between sheep grazing, ploughing, cubicle housing, and the surrounding agricultural land has shaped the heath into a unique and precious tourist experience.
The Kalmthoutse Heide covers the entire northwest corner of the municipality and never fails to win every visitor’s heart. Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide combines a land area of 6,000 hectares of natural beauty together with great ecological value. Get to know the landscape along the numerous hiking trails. Or jump on your bike and discover the Grenspark thanks to a cutting-edge node-to-node cycle system. And the 48 kilometres of mountain bike routes that wind through the Grenspark create great excitement for every cycling visitor. Whatever your preference, having fun is without doubt the top priority!
The new fire and observation tower
For a stunning panoramic view of the Kalmthoutse Heide, try one of the two observation platforms. From the ground to the tip of the antenna, this tower is over 40 metres high. On either platform you will be rewarded with a 360° view of the uniqueness of the Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. On a clear day you can even see the television tower in Roosendaal, the port of Antwerp, and the churches of the surrounding communities. Ready, get set, climb!
Do you want to climb the new fire tower? Follow the hiking trail ‘Roe deer’, ‘Caterpillar’, ‘Sheep’ and ‘Dragonfly’.
Lookout platform 'Kleine Stapper'
A lookout platform right above the water of the Stappersven. Surrounded by nature, a place where water-loving birds swim by a stone’s throw away. This platform was created by the woodworking students of Gitok Kalmthout in collaboration with PITO Stabroek.
The lookout platform ‘Kleine Stapper’ can be reached via the hiking trail along the Stappersven.
de Stapper
Near the beautiful Stappersven you can savour the view from 'de Stapper'. This 10-metre- high tower offers a breathtaking view of one of the largest fenlands in Flanders. ‘de Stapper’ has four floors. On each floor you can take in the view in all directions.
Spotting birds at ‘de Stapper’? ‘de Stapper’ is located along the Verbindingsstraat or follow the hiking trail ‘Duin’.
"The smell of the Kalmthoutse Heide makes me instantly happy."
Experience the area along the numerous hiking trails. You can also discover the Grenspark with its cycling junctions, good for hours of cycling fun. Mountain biking on the Grenspark route (48 km) is enthusiastically welcomed by many visitors. Whatever your preference, enjoyment is the key!
The paths in the central rest area are not accessible with dogs. They must be kept on a leash outside the rest area. At Visit Kalmthout you can get the walking brochure 'Walking in Kalmthout' (2 euros) including the 'four-legged walk' in and around the Kalmthoutse Heide of 5, 8 or 12 km.
Are you less able to walk?
The Bug
With this all-terrain wheelchair you can follow the Forest, Dragonfly or Sheep walking path in the Kalmthoutse Heide, the front castors are well suited for the many sandy paths of the heath.
Cadweazle
Would you rather go electric into the heath?
With the Cadweazle you can follow the Caterpillar walking path.
For this, you can contact De Vroente, Sustainable Education Point, from April 4, 2025. We do recommend that you reserve the wheelchair.
3-star quiet area
Where peace and quiet are becoming increasingly scarce, the heathland offers you that space.
This makes the nature reserve the ideal place to relax and take a breather.
Come, beckons the silence
I rock your words awake
Weigh the heaviness, lay it
to dry against the sharp cracks
under the dried-up fen - I envelop
you in scents and carry you back slowly
into the vast landscape.
Riet De Bakker, Winner of the poetry contest 'Dag van de Stilte 2019'
Translation from Dutch
Looking for silence, peace and space?
Discover the quiet area in the Kalmthoutse Heide!
Do you need special film permission for the Kalmthoutse Heide?
Special organized activities must be requested at least two weeks in advance from the Agency for Nature and Forests. They can only proceed once the admission form has been approved.
You must request commercial photo or film recordings from the Filmloket.
Discover the Kalmthoutse Heide with a guide!
