Attractions and Places To See in Domein Blommerschot En Beulkbeemden - Top 20

Oostmalle Airfield (IATA: OBL, ICAO: EBZR) is located in the Belgian province of Antwerp, entirely within the municipality of Malle. It is situated east of the town of Zoersel, south of Oostmalle, and west of Wechelderzande. It was constructed between 1952 and 1955 as a NATO reserve airfield. Following various reforms of the Belgian armed forces in the 1990s, the Federal Government's inner cabinet decided to decommission several military areas, including the airbase. On March 30, 2012, the Flemish Government decided to transfer the management of the area from the federal to the Flemish level and put it up for sale. The airfield's natural environment consists primarily of forest and heathland. The Agency for Nature and Forests considers the area to be very important for breeding and migratory birds. 157 bird species were observed there, including the wheatear, woodlark, and curlew. The insect population is also considered very valuable. In September 2023, work began on de-hardening the existing structures, which will continue until March 2025. In the initial phase, approximately 16 hectares of existing pavement and fifteen buildings will be demolished and removed. This will create a significant amount of new nature and allow water to seep in, resulting in a mix of dry and wet heathland landscapes, sand dunes, and valuable forests. The area is also essential for the European priority habitat type of species-rich heathland grasslands. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vliegveld_Oostmalle

pleasant picnic area with brand new oak benches, both under cover and outdoors.

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.

It's always worth taking a closer look...

Hikers can enjoy a typical Kempen forest complex where fauna and flora are omnipresent. Be surprised by the lush growth of herbs in the spring and the eagle ferns spread across the forest floor in the summer. Rare dragonflies like to stay here at the water's edge, and in the autumn many types of mushrooms find a breeding ground among the numerous dead wood. Despite the nearby recreational airfield, you can encounter deer, pheasants and other game here with a bit of luck.

In the Delfte Beek Valley (50 ha) we find stream-accompanying forests alternating with wet roughs and flowery meadows. The Delfte Beek meanders through the area. By improving the water quality, rare fish are swimming in the stream again and colorful damselflies skim over the water in the summer. The shy pine marten also feels at home here. The core of this area is De Kluis. In 1990, this former naturist domain was donated to Natuurreservaten vzw. A public walking path through the area starts at the Kruis van Blommerschot (Kruisdreef Zandhoven).

The Delfte Beek originates in the area of the Kempen clay. For thousands of years, clay particles were deposited on the valley floor during floods. As a result, the soil is richer than elsewhere in the area. This is expressed in the spring by a lush growth of herbs. The Delfte Beek forms the 'backbone' of the area. Several typical meanders can be found in the nature reserve. The footpath follows the stream in two places, and it also runs partly through deciduous and coniferous forest. The original relief of the stream valley has been preserved in most places. Outside the area, this has disappeared due to intensive agriculture. The part of the stream that is located in the nature reserve is not cleared mechanically. The stream can therefore develop freely. Fallen trees in the stream also provide additional dynamics.

In 1940 a ‘Forest Cross’ was erected here, the crucified Christ as a watchman in the forest to remind the faithful passers-by of the sacrifice of Calvary. The place is known as ‘the Cross’.