Pijnven: Bosland - Oranje Wandeling - 6.4 km

Welcome to Bosland. Bosland is the largest contiguous forest area in Flanders and the most child-friendly. This beautiful piece of nature extends over Hechtel-Eksel, Lommel and Overpelt.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the municipality of Eksel sold a large area of heathland and land dunes to the Belgian state. Work was started on the wild heathlands with steam tractors, steam plows and hand plows. Only after this was the soil suitable for planting trees. The many pines in the Pijnven were to serve as strut wood for the coal mines. At the slightest movement, pine wood begins to crack, which made the miners know that there was possible danger. The coal mines have since been closed and the role of the forest has changed significantly. Nature conservation and recreation are as important today as sustainable wood production.

Het Pijnven received the very first Flemish FSC group certificate for sustainable forest management as an international recognition for its quality management.

With 1100 hectares, the Pijnven, the central forest massif in Bosland, is the largest forest complex in Bosland. The hiking trails guide you through a backdrop of coniferous forests and floated by beautiful American oaks.

You can park your car in the spacious parking lot, a little further you will find the reception sign where the walks start. Choose the orange walk.