Yay, fall! Dive into the most beautiful play forests!
Autumn is the season in which we snuggle up together, cosily under a blanket or in front of the fireplace. The leaves of the trees get their most beautiful colours and the scent of an autumn forest can be recognised from miles away. The ideal moment to go into that forest and explore. Motivating children to put on their walking shoes is not always easy. That is why we list our most beautiful forest spots in the province of Antwerp for you, which children will immediately become enthusiastic about.
Krakketakketocht, Provincial Recreation Area Zilvermeer Mol
The Provincial Recreation Area Zilvermeer is always number 1 for many families every summer. The fun swimming pond and playground guarantee hours of fun, but it is also a nice place to stay in the fall. When the sun's rays give off their last warmth and it gradually gets colder, the Krakketakketocht brings enough warmth. About twenty fascinating assignments make you toil and sweat. Swing together with Krak de Tak, climb the highest tree or put the small forest animals under the magnifying glass.
The Krakketakketocht takes you 2.5 km long through a quiet part of the domain. The walk is suitable for all cool kids! If you have a stroller that is suitable for uneven terrain, even the littlest ones can come along. Unfortunately, the walk is not accessible with a wheelchair. Did Krak de Tak not make you sweat enough? Then dive into one of the many playgrounds. Do you dare to go down the giant slide?
Where do you need to be?
The walk starts at the day entrance, entrance to the beach, then follow the wooden arrows with eyes. Address: Zilvermeerlaan 2, 2400 Mol. The entrance fees vary according to the season. The low season runs from 1 October to 14 November and from 17 to 31 December; from 1 January to 31 March. The domain is then completely free to access from sunrise to sunset.
Grave Ravenpad, Regional Forest of Ravels
The creative team of Moos delved into the village archives of the Kempen village of Ravels. The old folk tales inspired them for a sensory-stimulating walk in the Gewestbos of Ravels. The story about De IJle Prijen and Het Witte Raafje form the backdrop for Het Grave Ravenpad. Hugo De Raaf takes you along wide forest avenues and winding paths. The forest landscape alternates with open spaces, grassland and fenland. The wooden ravens show you the way. In the 10 adventurous challenges you will meet characters Trees, Mit, Plinneke, the IJzeren Zeug and many more. Will you find the right gift for Het Witte Raafje?
The walk is approximately 2.5 km long. The paths are not paved, but if you have a sturdy stroller, you can also take the walk with small children. At two points you can choose an easy wide forest path or an adventurous forest path. The Grave Ravenpad overlaps with the Bruggeskeswandeling in some parts. The name refers to the twenty wooden bridges that characterize the 10 kilometer long walk. Enough choice to extend your walk. Both the Grave Ravenpad and the Bruggeskeswandeling have a chance of winning the title "Walk of the Year 2021".
Where do you need to be?
The walk starts at the parking lot of the Gewestbos van Ravels, at the Boshuis. Address: Jachtweg 27, 2380 Ravels. The Gewestbos is accessible from sunrise to sunset and is completely free.
Fort V, Edegem
Not a traditional forest, but certainly green enough to place it under that heading is Fort V. The fort is a remnant of the Stelling van Antwerpen, a military defense belt around Antwerp, which was built between 1859 and 1914. The domain was transformed into a park area. Together with Hof ter Linde, it is a green lung of almost 90 hectares on the outskirts of Antwerp. You get a real urbex feeling when exploring the fort.
Around the fort and the moat you will find a nature experience path. You walk along the front moat with ducks. You climb and clamber in the play forest with tree house. You play in the playground and of course you slide down the mega slide! We explored Fort V in rainy weather, but that did not stop us from having a fantastic day out. The path is very sheltered by trees, so do not be put off by the weather. A spare set of clothes in your backpack can't hurt.
Where do you need to be?
Fort V and the accompanying experience path are accessible via various entrances. We parked our car at the main entrance at De Burletlaan.
Address: Elsdonk, 2650 Edegem.
Fort V is freely accessible and completely free of charge.
Extra, just across the border: Play forest 't Slingerpedje, Bladel (NL)
A forest for children, that is the best way to describe the play forest 't Slingerpedje. There are 
alt all sorts of things to experience. With a water pump you splash in the mud. You hang out like a monkey on the monkey bridge. You enjoy the view from the highest climbing trees. You swing from the big oak with a rope and don't forget to build a camp! The play course consists entirely of natural materials. Children can let their imagination run wild and really be a child in a fantastic forest.
alt all sorts of things to experience. With a water pump you splash in the mud. You hang out like a monkey on the monkey bridge. You enjoy the view from the highest climbing trees. You swing from the big oak with a rope and don't forget to build a camp! The play course consists entirely of natural materials. Children can let their imagination run wild and really be a child in a fantastic forest. Where do you need to be?
The play forest is located at the intersection of Afrikaanse Dijk, Bossingel and Tipmast.
Address: Intersection of the Egyptian Dike and the Bossingel, 5531 NE Bladel, The Netherlands
't Slingerpedje is freely accessible and completely free.
