De Zoom–Kalmthoutse Heide Cross-Border Park

De ZoomKalmthoutse Heide is a cross-border nature park spanning the Belgium-Netherlands frontier, combining the Belgian Kalmthoutse Heide with the Dutch De Zoom reserve. It preserves one of the region’s larger contiguous heathland and dune complexes.

The landscape features heath, inland sand dunes, wetlands and young woodland; trails and signed routes allow hiking, cycling and nature observation across the interconnected reserves. The area is important for heathland species and for recreational access close to populated regions.

Formal cross-border cooperation brings together land managers from Flanders and the Netherlands to coordinate conservation, visitor management and restoration of heathland habitats. Management focuses on maintaining open heath, controlling scrub encroachment and providing sustainable public access.

The reserve sits on the Belgian-Dutch border in northern Antwerp province and southern North Brabant, within easy reach of towns on both sides of the frontier. It lies north of the city of Antwerp and near the border towns that provide access points to the park.

• Trails and seasons: Marked walking and cycling routes run through both Belgian and Dutch sections, with seasonal changes in heather bloom making late summer particularly attractive for landscape views.
• Visitor information: Several visitor centres and information points on both sides provide maps and details of permitted routes and seasonal access rules to protect sensitive habitats.

What to See #

• Kalmthoutse Heide (Belgian sector): The Kalmthoutse Heide sector comprises the Belgian core heathland and sand-dune landscapes; it contains the primary networks of marked walking trails and habitats for heathland flora and fauna.
• De Zoom (Dutch sector): De Zoom is the adjoining Dutch reserve and buffer zone that continues the heath and woodland habitats across the border and includes cycle routes and complementary visitor facilities on the Netherlands side.