Update mountain bike network Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide

The routes

The Grenspark received the permit to establish the MTB network in 2020, within a strictly regulated context of European protected nature. The MTB network consists of four routes: Stoppelbergen (6 km), Wildernissen (9 km), Staartse Heide (6.1 km) and Volksabdij (5.6 km).
In total, this provides 26 km of single track: narrow, and challenging trails with the necessary turns and height differences, but not too technical. This allows many mountain bikers to get there.

The routes are located in forest areas in places where nature can handle some recreational pressure. In this way, the vulnerable heathlands in the resting area of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide are relieved.

Connection loop

To reach the four MTB routes from various places, a connecting loop of over forty kilometres has been constructed in cooperation with 'Sport Vlaanderen'. This route crosses both Belgian and Dutch territory and is the ideal ride along the beautiful nature of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. The route can be followed in both directions via the yellow signs. At the moment, we are still optimising both the signposting of the yellow route and the signposting of the four constructed MTB routes.

Martin Groffen (chairman Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide): "We have noticed a lot of unrest among mountain bikers about the new routes and the communication about where cycling is and is not allowed. Walkers are also making themselves heard because they feel their freedom of movement is being restricted. The new structure has come for a reason. With its construction, negotiations with all partners took years, we want to spare the vulnerable areas within our park. There, nature should prevail and be allowed to do its thing undisturbed."

Public roads and paths

Currently, cycling is allowed on the MTB routes and public roads in the countryside. These roads also offer the possibility to shorten the route, return home faster in case of breakdown, or alternate briefly between the intensive routes and easier paths. To make it clear to all users, a map will be distributed showing exactly which areas can be cycled in. In the rest zone of the Grenspark and areas such as within the grazing grid, Moretusbos, Paalberg, Ossendrechtse Duinen and Defence grounds, among others, cycling is not allowed. In these areas, cycling was not allowed even before the MTB routes were there.

Martin Groffen: "There is a lot of feedback about the routes. In general, the reactions to the constructed routes are very positive. They clearly provide the quality we set out to achieve with the project. Problems with signalling are still being reported back, though. We are not quite finished with the signage indicating which route to follow. These are things we are now finalising so that there is more clarity there. In response to the petition that has been shared many times, there has been a consultation with a delegation of MTB riders and a delegation to the special committee, i.e. the decision-making body of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. In any case, consultations with mountain bikers themselves will continue. We will discuss the map in detail with them and the other stakeholders together."

Enforcement

We would like to emphasise that it is not our aim to enforce strictly through fines. We want all users to have the opportunity and time to get used to the routes and the rules in the area. It is true that in the previously mentioned areas, where it is really not allowed to cycle there can be enforcement. In these areas, however, there was enforcement even before the MTB routes were there, as cycling was not allowed there then either.

Vignette system

It was previously communicated that from 1 January 2021 a vignette will be compulsory on the four constructed routes. At the moment, we are still investigating exactly how we will implement this and whether there may be alternative options. For this reason, we have decided that you can still use the routes free of charge until 1 July 2021.

Tours

Traditionally, several Belgian and Dutch MTB tours take place in the Grenspark every year. All partners of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide would like to continue offering opportunities for local MTB clubs to organise tour rides. Clubs or organisers wishing to organise a tour ride can use the procedure as before. So they ask permission from terrain owners.

Volunteers help with maintenance

Grenspark Kalmthoutse would like to say a word of thanks to the volunteers, through chairman Martin Groffen: "The routes require regular maintenance. The small-scale maintenance is done by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, themselves all keen mountain bikers. They are busy every week clearing leaves and repairing corners. They are also the first to give feedback on where points for improvement are, many thanks for that."