The best walks and hikes in South Limburg

The church was presumably founded at the end of the tenth century. As early as 1027, a chapter of canons was associated with the church. In 1047, the archdeacon of Liège consecrated the church to St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Odulf, and the church was first mentioned in writing. In 1130-1131, the place of worship was replaced by a Romanesque church, using flint, river pebbles, and sandstone as building materials. A partially preserved and dated consecration stone depicting Christ, Peter, and Paul bears witness to this period. From 1290 onwards, the church was recorded as being in poor condition. About a century later, in 1396, the Romanesque tower disappeared to make way for the current Gothic tower (built: 1406). Significant extensions took place in the 18th century: the southern arm of the transept was built in 1773, the northern one in 1774, and in 1783 the large sacristy was built. The church's current Neo-Romanesque appearance is largely determined by the renovation in 1903 and 1904. Since 1935, the church, with the exception of the Neo-Romanesque aisles, has been a protected monument. In 2002, the protection was extended to the entire church. The church was renovated between 2014 and 2020 and restored to its full glory, with a focus on the Romanesque, Gothic, and Neo-Romanesque elements. Useful links: - https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Odulfuskerk_(Borgloon) - https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/31816 - https://www.borgloon.be/toerisme/groepsbezoeken/ontdek-borgloon/sint-odulphuskerk - https://sint-odulphuskerk.be/ - https://openchurches.eu/nl-be/gebouwen/sint-odulphus-borgloon - https://sint-odulphuskerk.be/halo-open-kerk/

The Schulensmeer is the largest inland lake in Flanders. Numerous benches invite you to take a break.

No doubt it's beautiful here...

For me, this is clearly the discovery of a hobbit house 😍😅

Homeleswijer is one of the characteristic ponds (wijers/ponds) you'll encounter during walks through the De Maten nature reserve in the Belgian province of Limburg. It lies within the watery landscape of the reserve, which is part of the larger De Wijers pond area, a network of natural and man-made ponds that originated from centuries-old fish farming traditions in the region. In De Maten, the Stiemerbeek stream and its tributaries formed the basis for pond complexes containing water features like the Homeleswijer. Dams and overflows made fish farming possible, creating a unique marsh and pond landscape full of reed beds, open water, and wet grasslands. Walking trails through De Maten—ranging from short loops to longer hikes—run along and around these ponds. They are true natural treasures: herons, waterfowl, and typical marsh plants can be found here, and information boards often line the path explaining the ecology and water management. Many walks along the Homeleswijer are signposted and start, for example, at the Slagmolen in Genk or at other access points in De Maten.

This 380-meter pontoon bridge guides you gracefully between the slag heaps and across the water. Along the way, you'll be treated to a stunning 360° experience with views of the glistening water and the green slag heaps. "Cycling & Walking among the Slag Heaps" is a unique experience when visiting Hoge Kempen National Park!

On many walking and cycling routes in the green landscape around Bokrijk and De Wijers, you'll find benches specially placed in spots offering beautiful views of the ponds, reed beds, and water features. These resting places invite you to sit quietly, absorb the scenery, and listen to the sounds of nature. Walking or cycling along the paths, you'll often see these benches strategically placed in spots offering expansive views, for example, of open water or green fields, allowing you to truly relax and enjoy the surroundings. The benches are part of various signposted walking and cycling routes through De Wijers and Bokrijk, ranging from short loops along ponds to longer trips of several kilometers. What's special about these resting places is that they're more than just stops; they're integrated into the experience of nature itself. While you relax, you might hear reed birds, see dragonflies skimming the water, or simply experience the tranquility of the watery landscape. On some routes, such as walks around the De Wijers ponds or along the "Cycling through Water" route, these benches offer a vantage point perfect for a picnic break, taking photos, or simply enjoying the light on the water. The views and tranquility make these spots popular with walkers and cyclists of all ages.

On the outskirts of Genk lies Thor Park, a unique place where natural heritage and technology converge. This former mining site has been transformed into one of the official gateways to the Hoge Kempen National Park, and you can feel it from the moment you enter. Here begins a landscape that has been constantly evolving: from industrial worksites to vast nature reserves where tranquil heathland and forests once again take center stage. Numerous walks depart from the park, taking you deeper into nature. The Klaverberg, a green slag heap towering above the landscape, offers expansive views of Genk and the surrounding forests. The Heiderbos welcomes you with open pine forests, soft moss, and heather vegetation that glows purple in summer. Even lower in the landscape lies the Thorpark Valley, a serene depression where water zones, young plants and birds, are slowly taking their place. Boardwalks lead you past heathland fens and wetlands so characteristic of the Hoge Kempen: quiet, fragile, and beautiful. It's an area built on the remains of vanished industry—a landscape that now speaks of restoration, resilience, and the power of nature. Yet, Thor Park is more than just nature today. It's also a breeding ground for the future. Where miners once dug down shafts, they're now working on solutions for tomorrow. Here you'll find EnergyVille, the research center for sustainable energy and smart energy systems. The site also boasts several modern business incubators and campuses where technology, design, and innovation reinforce each other. This tension between past and future—between old mining structures and sleek modern buildings—gives Thor Park its unique character. It feels like walking through a place that's constantly reinventing itself. Dotted between the buildings are paths and open spaces, artworks that perfectly complement the story of Thor Park. "Courteous Bow" and "Greeting" are beautiful examples: wooden sculptures that gently evoke human interaction and encounters in the heart of an environment that once revolved around labor and industry. They add a touch of poetry to the landscape. Thor Park is much more than a starting point: it's a place where nature embraces the past and where innovation shapes the future. An area where every walk brings a piece of history, a view, restoration, and tranquility, and where you enter the Hoge Kempen region with the feeling that the landscape has been waiting for you for centuries.