Did nature have an influence on the war and the war on nature? You can hear it on this green Great War Route in Limburg.
The many open moorlands – not far from the German border – were the ideal training ground for the German troops during WW1.
There were 5 Truppenübungsplätze (troop training grounds) in Limburg that were mainly put into use from 1916:
- Machine gun Schule (machine gun school) between Tongeren and Heers
- Minenwerfer Schule (mortar school) on the Mechelse Heide in Maasmechelen
- The Fliegerschiess Schule (training school pilots and observers) in As and the Schietveld in Houthalen-Helchteren,
- the Camp of Beverlo was the base for the Infantry Ersatz Truppen Battalions, but there was also Cavalry and Artillery
From here they left well prepared for the front.

The quartering of the troops in the municipalities has had an important impact on the community. In the municipalities the small stories of the Great War have been collected. The programme of the various exhibitions and activities in the periods 2014-18 can be found on www.limburg1914-1918.be

In the Museum of the Camp of Beverlo – once a military hospital – a new exhibition will be opened at the beginning of October about life in the camp and the municipality of Leopoldsburg during WWI. www.museumkampvanbeverlo.be

From the Museum you can also follow the walking route through the Camp. You can request the hiking map from the tourist office here. www.toerismeleopoldsburg.be

On this route of more than 50 km, via the cycle route network, you cycle through the Limburg nature and you get the chance to take a look at the landscape during WW1.