It’s an annual spectacle of nature, anticipated by many: the purple heather. In August and September, enjoy wandering amongst expansive areas full of blooming heather plants, on the Mechelse Heide. And there’s also lots to enjoy during the rest of the year, at this Maasmechelen entrance gate to the Hoge Kempen National Park. Walking, cycling or apping - you can do it all here!
Several sign-posted walks start from the Mechelse Heide entrance gate. They lead you through woods, alongside disused quarries, clear blue ponds and expansive natural moors. The height differences guarantee breathtaking vistas. At some spots here, you can really enjoy the quiet and the relaxing sounds of nature.
The shortest route is the Zandloperpad, an exciting, paved route, which is easily accessible for wheelchairs and prams. Over the 1.5 km, you get a good impression of what the National Park has to offer. But anyone who loves a more demanding walk need not wait around, because the existing loops can be combined via the walk junctions, in the blink of an eye. Moreover, you can also connect to other walks (Kikbeek, Eisden, Terhills, etc.) via the long-distance route. The ‘Hoge Kempen National Park’ walking maps and the website and app of Wandelen in Limburg provide an overview of the possibilities.
Where: Start at the Mechelse Heide entrance gate at Joseph Smeetslaan 280, 3630 Maasmechelen. There are also walking loops starting at the access point Eisden Station (Spoorwegstraat 10), which lead you through the Mechels Bos (Mechelen Wood).
The Vallei van de Kikbeekbron (Valley of the Source of the Kikbeek) is a magnificent area of heathland, connected to the Mechelse Heide. A few decades ago, this area was still entirely used for sand and gravel extraction. Nowadays, heathland, woods and ponds can be found here. The Kikbeek winds its’ way through this exciting landscape, grazing Fjord horses increase the biodiversity there, and there are plentiful vistas. Choose one of the short sign-posted routes, or make your walk longer by connecting to the routes of the Mechelse Heide.
Where: You can park at ‘Camping Kikmolen’, Kikmolenstraat 3, or at the car park beside the road to Zutendaal, next to house number 199. See here for practical information.
Prefer cycling to walking? Cycle right through the heathland and the other magnificent scenery of the National Park. There’s so much to see on the 4-km route between Cycle Junctions 550 and 551. The iconic pine-wood cycle bridge is the resident eyecatcher!
The online cycle route planner of Visit Limburg makes it easy to mark out your route by yourself. Or download our inspiratielus Trappen tussen bos en Maas (inspiration loop ‘Cycle between Woods and Maas’), which includes a visit to ‘Fietsen door de Heide’ (Cycle through the Heathland).
The Mechelse Heide entrance gate is located at Cycle Junction 60. It is not possible to rent bikes in situ, contact Visit Maasmechelen for this. Caution: We strongly recommend that you do not follow this route on foot, but by bike!
Where: ‘Fietsen door de Heide’ is located between Junctions 550 and 551. You can, for instance, start at the Mechelse Heide entrance gate (at Joseph Smeetslaan 280, at Cycle Junction 60), or at ‘Camping Kikbeekbron’ (Kikmolenweg 3, between Cycle Junctions 60 and 61).
The nature here is an experience in itself, but of course, it’s only really fun if you can play too! And that is certainly allowed in the adventurous dune, in the play pool and on the climbing tree at the Zandloperpad. From here, young heathland discoverers can walk into the ‘Beestige Boelbos’, where they can enjoy challenging playground features.
Looking for something different? Win a ‘B’Oscar’ award. The B’Oscars are challenging walks for children of 7 years and up, during which they take on the role of an important National Park character. They must use all of their talents to win the prize. The route is indicated on the terrain. Before setting off, you can purchase a booklet at the entrance gate, and you must download a free app. Use this to watch and listen to short films and sound fragments, which tell the story, and give you tasks to perform. Good luck!
Where: Start at the Mechelse Heide entrance gate at Joseph Smeetslaan 280, 3630 Maasmechelen.
During this beautiful 6-km walk, you can listen to stories from the First World War using a free app. Various witness accounts give unique insights into Maasmechelen’s experience of WWI. On the way, you pass hidden bunkers, and hear all about the Mine Shell Launcher School of As, where German soldiers learned how to fire a mortar launcher. This route is not sign-posted, but mainly follows the Yellow Route. You can find all the information here.
Where: Start at the Mechelse Heide entrance gate at Joseph Smeetslaan 280, 3630 Maasmechelen.