Attractions and Places To See around Oud-Turnhout - Top 20

Oud-Turnhout is rich in natural beauty. You can visit Landschap De Liereman Visitor Centre, one of Belgium's oldest nature reserves, featuring diverse landscapes of forests, grasslands, heathlands, and fens, home to Konik horses and Galloways. Another unique spot is De Hoge Mouw with its sleeping giant, known for its shifting land dunes that resemble a 'sleeping giant'. The Turnhouts Vennengebied is another significant fens area, and you can also enjoy picturesque apple orchards, especially around Priorij Corsendonk, or walk along the Dessel-Schoten Canal Pathway.

Yes, the region offers several historical and cultural highlights. Explore Postel Abbey, a 12th-century religious building still inhabited by Norbertine monks, known for its traditional beer and cheese production. While not directly in Oud-Turnhout, the nearby Baarle-Hertog and Baarle-Nassau Border Enclaves offer a unique experience with its complex intertwined Belgian and Dutch borders. Other notable sites include the historic Priorij Corsendonk and the architectural highlight Open huis Oosthoven.

The area around Oud-Turnhout is ideal for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for cycling, road cycling, and mountain biking. For cycling, explore routes like the 'Brug 6 Koffiehuis and B&B – De Liereman Parking loop' or the 'IJSWENS - ice cream farm – Priorij Corsendonk loop'. Road cyclists might enjoy the 'Turnhout and Arendonk Loop'. Mountain bikers have options such as the 'ATB Kempen MTB Trail Zone 5' or 'Singletrack Through the Forest'. You can find more details and routes on the respective Komoot guide pages for Cycling around Oud-Turnhout, Road Cycling Routes around Oud-Turnhout, and MTB Trails around Oud-Turnhout.

Yes, Oud-Turnhout offers several family-friendly options. Landschap De Liereman Visitor Centre is great for families, with plank paths and opportunities to see Konik horses, Shetland ponies, sheep, and Galloways. De Hoge Mouw with its sleeping giant is also popular, offering soft sand for children to play in and the intriguing 'sleeping giant' artwork. The Little Bridges Route is a particularly adventurous forest walk for young and old, featuring over 20 bridges and local folk tales.

The spring months, particularly April and May, are ideal for experiencing the apple blossom season around the Priorij Corsendonk, offering picturesque hiking routes. The nature reserves like Landschap De Liereman and Turnhouts Vennengebied are beautiful year-round, but spring and early summer offer vibrant flora and active wildlife. Autumn also provides stunning colors in the forests.

Absolutely. The region is known for its extensive network of hiking trails. The Little Bridges Route is a highly recommended forest adventure. At Landschap De Liereman Visitor Centre, you'll find information boards detailing various walking options within the nature reserve. The apple orchards around Priorij Corsendonk also offer scenic hiking paths.

The 'sleeping giant' at De Hoge Mouw refers to the huge shape of the shifting land dunes, which are part of the Kempen ridge. These dunes, now stabilized by vegetation, give the impression of a giant sleeping in the landscape. An artwork by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, a monumental head, further adorns the top, inspired by and feeding into the local legends of mythical creatures in the area.

Yes, the region offers various options for refreshments and accommodation. The Landschap De Liereman Visitor Centre has a summer terrace where you can enjoy a refreshing drink. Priorij Corsendonk, a historic priory, now functions as a hotel. Additionally, the nearby town of Turnhout, often explored by visitors to Oud-Turnhout, provides a wider range of cafes, pubs, restaurants, and accommodation choices.

Postel Abbey is a 12th-century Norbertine abbey that has maintained its traditions. The monks still brew their own beer and make cheese, which visitors can often sample or purchase. The abbey also features a new herb garden and offers guided tours and walking routes, making it a blend of historical, cultural, and culinary interest.

Yes, a truly unique experience can be found at the Baarle-Hertog and Baarle-Nassau Border Enclaves. This village features an incredibly complex border where Belgian and Dutch enclaves are intertwined, often running directly through buildings and streets. You can literally cross the international border dozens of times without realizing it, making for a fascinating stroll and a glimpse into a unique geopolitical situation.

Visitors particularly appreciate the blend of tranquil nature and rich history. The diverse landscapes of the nature reserves, with their unique flora and fauna, are a major draw. The historical sites like Postel Abbey offer a glimpse into the past and local traditions. The family-friendly trails and the unique border situation at Baarle-Hertog also receive high praise for their engaging and memorable experiences.

Yes, for example, the Landschap De Liereman Visitor Centre offers a very spacious parking lot, making it convenient for visitors to access the nature reserve and its trails.