Travel information
The entrance of the Kielpark at Hoboken can be reached with tram 4 from the center of Antwerpen (Groenplaats).
The hike ends at the castle in the park Rivierenhof. A few hundred meters further on the main road you can take tram 10. It brings you straight to the train station in the center of Antwerpen.
The hike
As shown on the map in the topoguide GR 5A South this second part of the 26 kilometer long E2 Connection Trail roughly follows the circular highway around the city of Antwerpen. The trail passes by the (former) youth hostel ‘t Opsinjoorke and the train station of Berchem. The hike also visits Zurenborg, the famous art nouveau quarter of Antwerpen.
For GR hikers this walk may be useful, but as a standalone hike we certainly wouldn't recommend it. Except for the Zurenborg part, you're constantly confronted with the noice of the highway and the busy traffic roads along the trail.
As to Zurenborg: you might as well get some information in the tourist office. There exist excellent hikes through this neighbourhood, providing a wealth of information on the history and the intruiging architecture.
For the diehards: the hike crosses the circular highway around Antwerpen a few times. Especially the crossing over the pedestrian bridge in Berchem is worthwhile. Some 15 meters above the traffic flow you'll fully experience the amount of CO2 and soot particles produced by this crucial traffic artery. And if you have to say something about it to your partner(s), you'll have to shout to be understood.
But nothing is impossible, even we survived the hike. And in the end we really enjoyed the beautiful Rivierenhof park. A little bit of sun, the terrace in front of the castle, a good beer ... what else do you need?
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