The best traffic-free bike rides around Lanaken

for extra protection from the sun

always nice along the water. there is always life there

The castle and fortress of Pietersheim were the seat of the lordship of Pietersheim. Remains of the 12th-century moated castle of Pietersheim bear witness to a long history. Just a stone's throw from the castle ruins, on the site of the former outbuilding of the moated castle, stands 'Palace Pietersheim', which in its current neoclassical form dates from the early 20th century.

Connecterra is the main gateway to Hoge Kempen National Park. This unique area is located on the former mining site of Eisden, bordering Dilsen-Stokkem. A quarter of a century ago, the mine was still operating at full capacity; now it is a true nature paradise. There are big plans for this area in the making for the coming years, respecting both nature and cultural heritage. The hiking area has been developed and the routes offer some of the most beautiful panoramas in Flanders, with a breathtaking scenery of mountains and lakes. In total, five routes will lead you through the area. The hiking area connects to the 'Mechelse Heide' and 'Station As' walking paths. In the new visitor center, you will find information about the national park and can relax with a drink in the tearoom. Outside, children can have fun in the playground. The spiral tower is accessible up to the first floor and offers a glimpse of what Connecterra has to offer.

Cycling across the heath takes you right through the Hoge Kempen National Park. In this park, vast pine forests alternate with endless heathlands. Thanks to the new connection between cycle nodes 550 and 551, nature is presented to you on a platter. You cycle across the Mechelse Heide, with 700 hectares, one of the largest heathland areas in Flanders. The highlight of this route is undoubtedly the almost 300-meter-long wooden bridge, a recognizable element in the landscape. From the bridge, you have a panoramic view of the natural surroundings.

Beautiful tin art

The Kikbeek Source Valley is a unique nature reserve of approximately 120 hectares in the municipality of Maasmechelen. It is part of the Hoge Kempen National Park and situated in and around the former sand and gravel quarry from which the meandering Kikbeek stream originates. This landscape is characterized by alternating open heathlands, forests and marshlands, small ponds, and the source itself, which together form a rich ecological fabric where walking routes lead visitors past water, heathland, reed beds, and forests in an atmosphere of tranquility and natural diversity. The valley is situated on both sides of paths normally included in the network of walks, such as the green and blue loops of the Mechelse Heide, which start from the parking lot at Camping Kikmolen, for example, and loop through the area with views of ponds, heathland, and woodlands. This valley is ecologically valuable, and the combination of a former quarry, seepage zones, and wetlands creates habitats for numerous insects, birds, and plants typical of wet and semi-open nature. The area provides a window into the ancient geology and landscape history of this region, where nature has gradually recovered since the time of human use. However, the situation around the valley and its hiking trails has been in flux for years and is not always accessible as it once was. Due to a landslide in the Kikbeekbron valley, the area is officially closed to recreation, and the blue and green hiking trails that run through it have remained inaccessible to visitors for some time. Research by the Agency for Nature and Forests, in collaboration with geotechnical experts, has revealed that there are risks of further landslides and slope instability, making the valley unsafe to access for the time being, and recreational use has been temporarily suspended. Clear signs on site inform visitors that access is prohibited and that alternative routes outside the valley must be followed. This situation serves as a precautionary measure as long as the stability of the former quarry and surrounding areas is maintained. At the same time, larger nature restoration and water management projects are planned or underway in this area. The Agency for Nature and Forests is carrying out the Blue Deal project at the Kikbeek spring, one of the largest of its kind in Flanders. The goal is to restore the ecosystem of the original valley, strengthen wetlands, and retain more water in the area. This extensive intervention is linked to sustainable water management, biodiversity, and the long-term health of the area. Parts of the valley are temporarily closed to enable methodical implementation. Due to these circumstances, the hiking trails through the former quarry and along the Kikbeek spring are currently not open as you know them from previous hiking maps, and the green and blue loops, which were equally enjoyable for a walk around the pond and through the heathland, are not accessible to recreational users. Yet, for many nature lovers, including myself, the allure of this area is hard to resist. Despite the official closures and clearly indicated restrictions, I have walked past the signs and barriers precisely because the paths are still partially visible and because the sensory experience of the landscape remains very inviting. The story of my walk through the valley, even though it was technically prohibited by the managers, reveals the appeal of this landscape. The tranquil water features, the transition from open heathland to woodland, and the atmosphere of a hidden stream valley invite exploration even when restricted zones indicate it's not officially permitted. This personal touch contrasts the formal, protective management of vulnerable natural areas with the human tendency to seek out the peace and beauty of such places, even if that means straying slightly off the beaten track.

The open space at the intersection of the Munsterbeek stream in Bilzen lies in a landscape where natural stream valleys and rural tranquility seamlessly intertwine. It's a place not made of concrete or buildings, but rather a natural link in the fabric of water, forest, and farmland. The Munsterbeek, one of the many streams in the valley, flows through this area and is part of a larger network of rivers and streams that form the valley structure of the humid Haspengouw and Kempen regions. What makes this area special is not a monument or a major landmark in itself, but the spatial openness itself—meadows, meandering streams, the edges of the Munsterbos forest, and the soft relief of the landscape—which together create a sense of freedom and connection with nature. The region's spatial vision explicitly emphasizes the importance of such open spaces for water storage, nature development, and the ecological structure around the Demer and its tributaries, such as the Munsterbeek. Along the Munsterbeek stream, for example, you can see how the province is taking steps to allow the water to meander more naturally, which not only benefits biodiversity but also creates a landscape that breathes and creates space. The stream's old meanders have been restored so that the stream can once again follow its original curves and the banks support a richer ecosystem. Around this open space are other green elements, such as the Munsterbos, a large woodland area that is part of the Hoge Kempen National Park and marks the transition between different landscapes. Here you'll find numerous hiking trails, ponds, and streams that, together with open grasslands, form a continuous network of nature and tranquility. This open space along the Munsterbeek stream is therefore not an isolated spot with a name on a sign, but a landscape to experience: a place where water follows its own course, where nature is given space to breathe, and where walkers or cyclists can escape the urban rhythm for a moment and feel the connection between earth, stream, and horizon.