Mechelse Heide
Mechelse Heide is a place where you can enjoy hours of uninterrupted walking through vast heathlands and forests. But did you know that this natural area was largely shaped by former gravel and sand extraction? The two former quarries have been fully reclaimed by nature and now provide a thriving habitat for local flora and fauna.
Just because you can walk for hours here doesn’t mean you can’t opt for a shorter stroll. Take the Zandloper Trail, for example: a wheelchair-friendly route of 1.5 km that takes you all the way around the small lake. Treat yourself to stunning views over the heath as you walk alongside the sand quarries.
Mechelse Heide – Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen
Mechelse Heide is a place where you can wander for hours through vast heathlands and forests without disturbance. Did you know that former gravel and sand extraction largely shaped this landscape? The two former quarries have now been completely reclaimed by nature and form a thriving habitat for flora and fauna.
Even though you can hike here for hours, shorter walks are also possible. For example, the Zandloper Trail is a wheelchair-friendly 1.5 km route that circles the small lake. Treat yourself to stunning heathland views while walking past the former sand quarries.
Terhills – Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen
Mining heritage is deeply rooted in MaasMechelen and still visible in many ways. The large lake at Terhills is one such example, created by former coal mining activities.
The red panoramic walking loop offers views of the lake from different angles and is an award-winning trail (Leading Quality Trails – Day Walk). And rightly so, as the walk along the water takes you across the twin mining terrils and the floating bridge known as “Cycling between the Mine Terrils”.
Natuurgebied Mazenhoven – Maesbempder Greend
The River Meuse is a rain-fed river, meaning the surrounding nature constantly changes. Still, some Maas lakes show less visible change, and Maesbempder Greend is one of them.
Looking for wild plant species or birds such as the kingfisher or partridge? Then this is your place. Under the management of Natuurpunt and Limburgs Landschap, nature can develop here largely undisturbed.
Maaswinkel – RivierPark Maasvallei
Despite what the name suggests, you can’t buy a piece of the Meuse here. “Winkel” means “corner,” referring to the sharp bend the river once made here in medieval times. Today you’ll find several Maas lakes hidden in greenery.
Maaswinkel always has a magical atmosphere, but on warm summer evenings you might even spot fireflies — a beautiful sight. Besides fireflies, frogs and butterflies, large grazers such as Galloway cattle roam freely. They play an important role in nature restoration and management, allowing nature to evolve with minimal human intervention.
Looking for more walking inspiration? Check out our hiking page.
