Hoge Kempen National Park: Circular hike Mechelse Heide and Kikbeek

Where in Flanders can you walk 14 km completely car-free without seeing a single house? I only know one place: the Hoge Kempen National Park, more specifically in the nature reserves of Mechelse Heide and Kikbeek. This hike combines the largest heath landscape in Flanders with the hilly and lake landscape of the Kikbeek source. Very un-Flemish. At various points, you get a panoramic view of several dozen kilometers, including the Meuse Valley, Liège, and the coal mining area. A hiking route for those looking for something completely different right on their doorstep. PRACTICAL - Length: 14.2 km. - Type of paths: completely car-free, 99% unpaved. - Starting point: entrance gate Mechelse Heide of the Hoge Kempen National Park, Jozef Smeetslaan 280, Maasmechelen, i.e. Café and Camping 't Salamanderke. Ample parking available. - For €2.5, you can purchase a map with the marked routes in the area (Hoge Kempen National Park, Mechelse Heide hiking map). - Info: www.rlkm.be/nl/hoge-kempen/toegangspoorten/mechelse-heide/wandelen