Note: The informational text on this map is in Dutch, but the map itself can be used without issue.

In the hiking area Smeetshof, you literally cross borders, between Belgium and the Netherlands, between woodlands, marshes, meadows and over streams such as the Lossing and the Lechterrietbeek. Together with the Dutch Wijffelterbroek, Smeetshof was once part of a 5,000 ha large marsh on the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. After the attractive landscape was extensively cultivated at the end of the last century, Natuurpunt, the Agency for Nature and Forests, and the Flemish Land Agency started in 2003 with the restoration of the once legendary border marsh. The Nature Development Project Smeetshof created new marsh areas, heathland restoration on drier spots, ponds for amphibians, wet and dry grasslands with scattered groves. ARK nature development and Natuurmonumenten are working on a climate buffer in the Dutch part of the marsh. For this, collaboration took place with farmers by purchasing their wet lands or exchanging them for drier lands that are better suited for agriculture. Vantage points, bird hides, and boardwalks offer you a unique view into the surprising part of KempenBroek.