Adventure round Sahara via lookout tower the Giant of Bosland and the Bleekerheide

In April 2026, we walked this varied hike from a (camper) parking lot by the Bocholt–Herentals canal, a quiet starting point. Soon you leave the canal behind and dive into nature, heading towards one of the most unique landscapes of Belgian Limburg.

The route first takes you through the Houde of Nature, a playful and educational nature area where art, experience, and nature come together – a fun and surprising start to the hike. Shortly afterward, you reach the lookout tower Giant of Bosland. This tower, inspired by a giant from local legends, offers a panoramic view over the vast forests of Bosland and the surrounding sandy plains after a climb. From here, you get a good sense of the scale and variety of the area.

Not long after, you walk into the Lommelse Sahara, an impressive area of white sand, pine forests, and blue pools that were formed by previous sand extraction. The contrast between the light sand and the dark green of the trees gives the whole a nearly southern appearance.

Via a pedestrian bridge over the canal, you cross the water and reach the quieter parts of the hike. In the Bleekerheide, the landscape changes again: heath fields, open spaces, and forest edges alternate, with a feeling of space and silence characteristic of this area. Eventually, you return via wide forest paths and quiet roads to the canal, after a walk that effortlessly combines nature, experience, and surprising landscapes.