Horseback riding
At a trot through the Grenspark
The Grenspark remains the Grenspark, yet experiencing it is completely different on horseback than on foot or by bike. How fortunate: in the Grenspark, there are some 30km of bridle paths just waiting to be discovered!
On horseback you feel at one with nature. All in all, an excellent reason to go riding. The Grenspark has about 30km of bridle paths, most of which are in the northern part of the reserve. These bridle paths are signposted with a horseshoe. Here, riders may also encounter other recreational visitors, so be careful and always pass others at walking pace.
In the southern part of the Grenspark, riders can connect from the Withoefse Heide in Kalmthout to the bridle path around the Stappersven and to the northern bridle paths towards Huijbergen and Ossendrecht: there are lovely loops to ride here. Be aware, though, that the connections between different bridle paths sometimes run along public roads.
The bridle paths are marked with a black line on our interactive experience map below.
Please note
Horse riding is allowed only on the paths marked with a horseshoe and on public roads, i.e. not on footpaths, mountain bike trails or in the grazing and rest area.
Some bridleways are shared paths, so please bear in mind other recreational users such as hikers and mountain bikers.
MTB News from the park
MONA News from the park
Routes for riders
There are also opportunities for horse riders and their horses to discover the area around the Grenspark. The Grensroute for riders and drivers offers three loops in Essen and its immediate surroundings. Via the green loop in Wildert, a piece of the Grenspark can be discovered: via the Groenendries forest, through the Verbindingsstraat and along the Stappersven towards the Wildertse Duintjes. Other nature reserves the Grensroutes visit are the Horendonk woods and the northern side of Hemelrijk domain.
The map of the Border Route is for sale at VVV Essen
Sleep horse sleep
On the above Border Route, it is possible to stop off at riding stables and catering establishments along the way. And you can even spend the night with your horse in one of the farms or B&Bs along the routes!
Note
Look carefully at the Border Route signs. All routes are well marked by signs with route numbers, the arrows indicate the direction.
