The best MTB trails around Kempen

The Kempen region offers a diverse landscape for mountain biking, characterized by extensive pine forests, vibrant purple heathlands, and atmospheric drifting dunes. You'll encounter varied ecosystems, including those within the Hoge Kempen National Park, Belgium's only National Park, which features coniferous forests and moorlands. The terrain also includes hilly sections with elevation differences of up to 45 meters, providing challenging climbs and descents.

Kempen offers an extensive network of mountain bike trails. The Hoge Kempen National Park alone provides over 400 km of trails spread across 13 loops, with more than 98% being unpaved. In total, komoot features 16 mountain bike routes in the region, catering to various skill levels.

Yes, Kempen has trails suitable for beginners. Out of the 16 routes listed on komoot, 5 are rated as easy. An example of an easier route is Laarven Pond – The Grote Cirkel loop from Cartierheide, which covers 26 km with minimal elevation gain.

Experienced riders can find challenging routes in Kempen, particularly due to the hilly terrain and dedicated trail parks. The region offers an 82 km biking marathon route with black arrow signposting between Maaseik and Lanaken. Additionally, Trailpark Klaverberg provides a challenging, unpaved network with a technical loop and extensions featuring climbs and descents of varying difficulties (blue, red, and black).

While mountain biking in Kempen, you can explore diverse natural features such as extensive pine forests, colorful heathlands, and unique drifting dunes. The Hoge Kempen National Park offers panoramic views and distinctive 'terrils' (slag heaps from its mining past). You might also encounter highlights like Boardwalk through Cartierheide or the The Groot Pannegoor. The 'Cycling through the Trees' experience in Bosland also offers a unique perspective of the landscape.

The mountain bike trails in Kempen are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.2 stars from over 600 reviews. Riders often praise the varied terrain, well-maintained paths, and the beautiful natural surroundings, including the extensive forests and moorlands.

While specific family-friendly routes are not detailed, the region offers a range of trails from easy to difficult. For families, focusing on the easier rated routes, such as Ten Vorsel Chapel – Monkey Trail Rockgarden loop from Cartierheide, which is 19 km long, would be a good starting point. The diverse landscapes also provide engaging environments for younger riders.

Yes, parking is generally available at key access points for mountain bike trails in Kempen. For instance, areas like Cartierheide, which serves as a starting point for several routes including MTB Park Eersel - Route II – TerSpegelt loop from Cartierheide, typically offer parking facilities. Dedicated trail parks like Trailpark Klaverberg and Bikepark Kattevennen also provide parking for visitors.

Kempen is suitable for mountain biking throughout much of the year. The diverse landscapes, including forests and heathlands, offer different appeals in various seasons. Spring and autumn often provide pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. While specific winter conditions are not detailed, the region's extensive trail network can be enjoyed as long as weather conditions are favorable.

Yes, many mountain bike trails in Kempen are designed as loops, offering convenient starting and ending points. The Hoge Kempen National Park alone features 13 loops within its 400 km network. Examples from komoot include Vlasrootven – Aalsterhut MTB Loop loop from Weebosch and Laarven Pond – The Grote Cirkel loop from Cartierheide.

Yes, you can find options for food and drink near the mountain bike trails. The region has various cafes and pubs, especially in towns and villages adjacent to the trail networks. For example, The Wild Boar Inn is listed as a nearby attraction, suggesting opportunities for refreshments.