HIKING POINT Hoge Kempen

The nature reserve

The Hoge Kempen National Park is located in the east of Limburg, near the Dutch border. This national park is almost 60 km2 in size and, together with the peripheral areas, forms a nature reserve of no less than 120 km2.

This nature reserve was formed during the ice ages. The Meuse then brought large quantities of boulders and stones from the Ardennes and deposited them as a huge rubble cone. The areas on the edge of that rubble cone were later eroded away. The rubble cone remained because boulders and stones offer more resistance to erosion. As a result, the 'Hoge Kempen' now forms a plateau that lies 50 to 100 meters above sea level.

During the last ice age, the whole was covered with a package of sand. The North Sea and the Scheldt were dry at the time: all the water was trapped in the ice sheet. A cold wind constantly blew from the northern glaciers, bringing sand from the dry beds and thus covering the north of Belgium with a blanket of sand.

The area was gradually covered in a natural way by coniferous forests, until man turned the area into a heathland landscape through tree felling. After the discovery of coal, the area was reforested to provide softwood for mining. Only in nature reserves and military domains are heathlands still present.

The landscape was further shaped by human activities. Sand extraction created large ponds and the mining industry built some large hills ('terrils') with stone waste from the mines.

After the closure of the mines, the area was completely returned to nature. What was once an industrial area is now a national park with vast forests, heathland, ponds and overgrown hills. Those who do not know the history do not realize that it is man who shaped this area.

The walk

The walk starts in the man-made mining landscape. In the park Connecterra you climb a shaft and the terrils of the mines of Eisden. These terrils are now beautifully overgrown and give a beautiful view over the Hoge Kempen nature reserve that you will explore during this walk.

Then you follow a long path along the Grote Plas, a vast pond that was created by gravel extraction and has now become a nature reserve.

You leave Connecterra through a gate and then walk through the vast coniferous forests of the Mechelen forest.

The landscape changes completely when you enter the Mechelen heath. In this open landscape with sand and heather you have distant views again. You walk again around a large pond, this time an old sand extraction that has now become a nature reserve.

In walking café Salamander you can eat Limburg pie or pancakes. The way back runs again through the coniferous forest of the Mechelen forest. You enter Connecterra through the same gate for a final view of the ponds and hills.

Once back at the Connecterra visitor centre, you can drink a 'Kompel', the Limburg miner's beer, in the cafeteria.

This walk consists of more than 95% unpaved paths.

ATTENTION: there are long-term works in the Connecterra park. This walk takes this into account and avoids the closed paths.

When

You can make this walk at any time of the year.

From mid-August to mid-September, the Mechelen heath turns a beautiful purple. During the weekends it is quite busy here.

The Connecterra park is open every day from 10am. After closing time (summer 5pm, winter 6pm) you can always leave the park via a revolving door.

Start & end point

Connecterra Visitor Centre

Address: Zetellaan, 3630 Maasmechelen (Eisden)

Website: www.connecterra.be

Phone: 089/44 04 44

By car: there is ample parking in front of the tourist office.

By public transport: from the station in Genk there is an hourly bus to Eisden/Maasmechelen village.

Practical info

This walk starts at the visitor centre 'Connecterra', the main entrance to the Hoge Kempen National Park.

You pay 3 euros entrance fee for the part of the walk that runs on the Connecterra territory. You get a free map of the Connecterra area and you can buy the hiking maps of the Hoge Kempen national park.

There is sanitary facilities and a cafeteria with terrace.

Halfway the walk takes you past walking café Salamander where you can eat all kinds of goodies.

For those who find Limburg too far for a day trip: there is a good range of hotels, B&Bs and campsites. You can find all the information on the Connecterra website.

www.connecterra.be

 

This walk is part of a series of top hikes in Flanders.

There is always a variant of +/-12 km and one of +/- 20 km.

https://www.wandelpunt.be