Smuggling Trail

Description

On the Smuggling Trail in Hoogstraten, you’ll follow in the footsteps of butter, tobacco, and sugar smugglers. During World War I, local residents would sneak through the woods, heathland, and grasslands here with bags full of contraband strapped to their bicycles. Rest assured, today you’ll be walking these smuggling trails legally! Follow the posts marked with the little smuggler figure and read the fascinating stories on the information signs along the way. You’ll walk along the stream that marks the Belgian-Dutch border. If you visit in August or September, you’ll enjoy the purple heather. Among the ponds, pools, and grazing sheep, you might also spot myrica gale—once used to make beer.

automatic translation