The best traffic-free bike rides around Dilsen-Stokkem

Cycling through 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 silver platter. You cycle across the Mechelse Heide, one of the largest heath areas in Flanders with 700 hectares. 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.

Station As is a former railway station on lines 21A (Hasselt-As) and 21B (As-Eisden). The station building now houses a restaurant and the Kolenspoorvereniging (Coal Railway Association) uses it for the operation of the tourist railway line Waterschei-As-Eisden. Station As is also one of the gateways to Hoge Kempen National Park and has an observation tower.

Terhills Hotel, located in Maasmechelen, with its 4 stars and 59 luxury rooms, is the sum of class and comfort.

With its bright colors, it is visible from afar

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.

At the edge of the large lake lies a tranquil jetty, a spot that immediately invites you to pause for a moment. The wooden platform extends slightly out into the water, offering a beautiful, unobstructed view of the wide lake. Here, the scents of pine forest and fresh water merge, and all you hear is the gentle lapping against the jetty. It's a place where dragonflies skim low over the surface and waterfowl regularly glide by. In calm weather, the lake transforms into a mirror, sharply reflecting clouds and treetops.

It's lovely to cycle here on the dike. There's always something to see on either side, and the people you meet are very friendly and seem happy. It must be the beautiful surroundings.

Old coal winding towers near Maasmechelen