Warmbeek Valley - orange - 5.9 km

Begin your walk at the starting point 't Mulke or Haarterheide and discover the rich history and nature of the area. Along the way, you will pass 'de Waag', a historical site where mill rights were once managed. Here you will also find the geological garden, a unique collection of mostly Belgian rocks, displayed along a circular path that symbolizes the timeline of the rocks. Continue your route and discover a prehistoric burial mound site from the Bronze Age. Walk through the higher pine forests and enjoy the tranquility and nature.
The Valley of the Warmbeek
The Warmbeek springs in Peer, twenty kilometers to the south, and flows through Hamont-Achel, with a drop of 9 meters over a distance of 8 kilometers. At Sint-Huibrechts-Lille, the creek crosses the Bocholt-Herentals canal and changes its name to Tongelreep at the Dutch border, ultimately flowing into the Dommel at the Genneper Parken in Eindhoven.
In the past, the meanders of the Warmbeek at the Achelse Kluis were straightened and dyked to drain the water more quickly. Thanks to recent remeandering, this area now serves as a natural water buffer, where the river is allowed to overflow during high water levels.
Between the Tomp and the Mulke, the riverbed was redirected for the construction of a mill pond of about 7 hectares, essential for the operation of the water mill during dry periods. In 2015, fish ladders were installed at the former water mill 't Mulke, allowing fish to swim upstream to their spawning grounds once again. Upstream from the fish ladder, a 'spawning riffle' has been established, ideal for rare stream fish such as the common minnow and the stone loach.
Come and enjoy this diverse walking route and the beautiful Valley of the Warmbeek!