Hobokense Polder, Nature reserve in Hoboken, Antwerp, Belgium

Hobokense Polder is a nature reserve situated between the Scheldt River and industrial areas, containing wetlands, forests, and grasslands. Marked walking paths wind through the reserve, connecting different sections and allowing visitors to explore the varied habitats.

The area began as an agricultural polder regularly flooded by the Scheldt River before becoming an industrial zone during the 20th century. It was eventually protected and restored to support wildlife and ecosystems instead of industrial use.

The reserve represents a commitment to restoring nature near an urban and industrial zone, where people can reconnect with wild spaces. Walking through it shows how local communities value environmental recovery and wildlife protection.

The reserve lies between the Scheldt, Hoboken and the Blue Gate business park, and can be reached on foot or by bike from Hoboken-Polder station. Three viewing points stand by the ponds; the one at Rallegat was built for wheelchair users. The viewing wall at Broekskot, made of rust-coloured corten steel, has a roof so you can watch in the rain.

The reserve supports an exceptional range of plant and fungal species that have established themselves across different habitats. Free-roaming Galloway cattle naturally maintain the landscape by grazing and trampling vegetation, creating a self-regulating ecosystem.