Attractions and places to see in Zalfens Gebroekt include 11 distinct locations, offering a range of experiences from historical sites to natural trails. The region features a landscape suitable for both hiking and cycling, with areas encompassing forests, meadows, and stream valleys. These attractions provide insights into local history and opportunities for outdoor exploration.
Last updated: May 25, 2026
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The St. Anthony's Chapel is a chapel in the hamlet of Zalfen, located near Salphen, which is part of the Antwerp municipality of Malle. Nearby Oostmalle was hit by a plague epidemic around 1625. Around 60 sick people reportedly fled to the heath. A certain Adriaan Mattheeusen, who lost three children to the disease, had to bury them on the heath and built a chapel for this purpose. This chapel was soon also used for funeral services, and the deceased were buried in a nearby cemetery. The chapel attracted pilgrims and was therefore expanded in 1726. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Antoniuskapel_(Zalfen)
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Beautiful and well-maintained chapel. With interesting information about the chapel and the airfield.
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good gravelride, a few km's, double-track, in the mid of woods and fields, away from habitation, skimming along an old NATO-airfield (never used, cause sand from nearby dunes could be blow up the runways an damage motors, which is a no-go for a military airfield). To gravelride can be extended by several km's to almost the village of Oostmalle by taking the Salphensebaan once arriving in the smal hamlet of Salphen.
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The Saint Anthony Chapel of Salphen is located south of the Salphen road, an old avenue of predominantly ascending summer oaks (Quercus robur) and is surrounded by ascending trees (mainly Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris). It is an oriented brick chapel with a three-sided closed west facade and a lower rectangular choir under slate saddle roofs (ridge parallel to the street) with roof turret. On the east side there are two stepped gables on shoulder pieces with braiding. On the north side there are rectangular windows and a basket-handle arch door and a basket-handle arch door. The plastered and painted interior has a wooden truss with tie beam. The furniture includes an altar from the 19th century and a painted wooden statue of Saint Anthony Abbot (end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century). The text is provided by: Agency for Immovable Heritage (AOE)
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Where the Visbeek forms the border with the neighbouring municipality of Malle, this chapel was consecrated on 4 May 1952. The occasion was the 25th anniversary of the youth movement Boeren Jeugd Bond Zoersel, now Katholieke Landelijke Jeugd. The chapel is shaped like a reduced model of a basilica. The chapel is often the target of vandalism. On one occasion, the chapel even had to be removed from the moat, completely destroyed. Fons Schrijvers, who maintains the chapel, no longer knows how often the glass has been repaired and how many statues of Mary have been replaced. Source: information board at the chapel
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to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
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In 1952 the statue was delivered and on 31 May 1955 it was transported to the chapel on a decorated cart. The Picpus priest Anselmus led the procession and blessed the statue. Pictures and medals were handed out on that occasion. The statue is dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. An image of the medal was incorporated under the niche.
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Initially, the chapel was called the ‘Chapel of the Vossenbos’. After the heath was reclaimed in 1923 and the Vossenbos was cleared after 1945, a meadow and a new forest area were created. In the period 1952-1955, a reserve NATO airfield was built in this area of Oostmalle-Zoersel. The chapel owes its existence to the establishment of this airfield. The pious surveyor Housset, who carried out the measurements, had expressed the wish to place a Maria chapel along the road to the airfield. He donated the statue of Maria and the sum of 450 francs.
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Zalfens Gebroekt is rich in historical chapels. The most prominent is St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen, which dates back to 1626 and was founded during a plague epidemic, later becoming a pilgrimage site. You can also find the Salphensebaan Chapel, established in 1955 near the NATO airfield, and the Chapel near the airfield (Visbeek), also linked to the airfield's history.
Yes, many attractions in Zalfens Gebroekt are suitable for families. The historical chapels, such as St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen, Salphensebaan Chapel, and the Chapel near the airfield (Visbeek), offer interesting historical context. For outdoor fun, the Zoersel Gravel Section provides a scenic trail through forests and meadows, while the Wechel airport spotters place is a unique spot to watch gliders, which can be exciting for children.
Zalfens Gebroekt offers beautiful natural landscapes. The Zoersel Gravel Section winds through forests and meadows, passing through a Kempen stream valley reserve where you might spot deer, pheasants, rare dragonflies, or even a kingfisher. The area is also known for its diverse fungi, with over 350 species counted. Many trails, including those starting from St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen, meander along ancient forests and offer stunning views.
You can enjoy various outdoor activities. For hiking, explore easy trails like the "St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen – Saint Anthony Chapel (Salphen) loop" or the "Valley of the Delfte Brook – Information boards loop." Cyclists can find moderate routes such as the "Zoerselbos Gravel Trail – Zoerselbos loop" or the "Borrekens Castle – Grobbendonk Watermill loop." For more options, check out the guides for easy hikes, cycling, and road cycling routes in Zalfens Gebroekt.
Yes, there are several hiking trails. An easy 7.6 km loop, "St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen – Saint Anthony Chapel (Salphen) loop," starts directly from St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen. Another option is the 5.2 km "Valley of the Delfte Brook – Information boards loop." You can find more easy hiking routes in the Easy hikes in Zalfens Gebroekt guide.
Zalfens Gebroekt offers excellent cycling opportunities, particularly along the Zoersel Gravel Section, a scenic gravel path through forests and meadows. You can find moderate cycling tours like the 43.6 km "Zoerselbos Gravel Trail – Zoerselbos loop" or the 44.7 km "Borrekens Castle – Grobbendonk Watermill loop." Explore more options in the Cycling in Zalfens Gebroekt guide.
The region offers different experiences throughout the year. For those interested in local traditions, visiting around January 17th allows you to experience the Sint-Antoniusbegankenis or Zalfenkermis, a folkloric fair associated with St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen. Spring and autumn are ideal for hiking and cycling, with pleasant weather and vibrant natural scenery, especially along trails like the Zoersel Gravel Section.
Yes, the Wechel airport spotters place offers a unique viewpoint. It's an ideal location to observe glider pilots and gain a perspective on the local airfield's operations. This spot provides an interesting insight into aviation activities in the region.
Visitors particularly appreciate the blend of historical sites and natural beauty. The serene atmosphere around the ancient St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen, with its surrounding dirt roads and forest views, is highly valued. The scenic Zoersel Gravel Section, with its winding paths through forests and meadows, is also a favorite for its natural charm and tranquility.
Absolutely. The Zoersel Gravel Section is specifically highlighted as a sublime gravel path near Zoersel and Wechelderzande, winding through beautiful forests and meadows. It's considered one of the most picturesque gravel strips in the area, perfect for gravel biking enthusiasts.
The chapels hold significant historical and cultural importance. St. Anthony's Chapel, Salphen, for instance, was founded in 1626 during a plague epidemic and became a center for pilgrims, later hosting the annual Sint-Antoniusbegankenis festival. The Salphensebaan Chapel and the Chapel near the airfield (Visbeek) are more recent, built in the mid-20th century, often linked to the establishment of the nearby NATO airfield and local community initiatives.
Yes, for road cycling enthusiasts, there are several moderate to long-distance routes. Examples include the 113 km "Entrance Abbey Tongerlo – Houterenberg Climb loop" and the 98 km "Cycling Along the Mark River – Bike Path Along the River Mark loop." You can find more detailed routes in the Road Cycling Routes in Zalfens Gebroekt guide.


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