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From mid-August to mid-September, the heather is in full bloom. Vast heathland landscapes then form a picturesque purple backdrop for your walk or bike ride. We’re happy to share tips on nature reserves in Limburg where you can admire this purple splendor.
Update August 2, 2024: The advantage of the many rains over the past months is that we will have a good heath season. If you visit a heathland area right now, you will see that the first shrubs are already starting to bloom here and there.
Mechelse Heide
The Mechelse Heide is the largest heathland area in the Hoge Kempen National Park, in the east of Limburg. Every once in a while, you’ll need to do some serious climbing, but the views that reward you at the top are well worth the effort.
Hiking in the Mechelse Heide
- At the gateway in Maasmechelen, you’ll find hiking loops ranging from 3.1 to 8.6 km. Check out our favorite 7.5 km hiking route.
- There is a 1.5 km paved path that is easily accessible with a stroller or wheelchair.
- At camping Kikmolentwo more loops of 2.6 and 4.6 km start through Kikbeekbron, a sub-area of the Mechelse Heide. Check out these hiking routes.
Cycling in the Mechelse Heide
On these cycling routes, you pedal straight through the heather of the Mechelse Heide.
- Cycling through Water and Cycling through Heathland – 56 km
- Purple splendor - 52 km
- Cycling through the beating hart of the Hoge Kempen - 38 km
- Past heathland and panoramic views – 37 km
- Untapped cycling pleasure - 34 km
Between cycle nodes 550 and 551, you’ll ride along the unique cycling experience of 'Cycling through the Heathland' in Hoge Kempen National Park .
Pietersheim
The Pietersheim hiking area in Lanaken is also part of the Hoge Kempen National Park. On the purple hiking route, you walk through the valuable nature reserve of the Ziepbeek Valley, where vast heath fields await.
Hiking through the heather in Pietersheim
Start at Hotel La Butte aux Bois for an 11.2 km hike through the heather. This route has been awarded the ‘Premium’ label by the German Hiking Institute.
Thorpark
At the former mine of Waterschei in Genk lies an impressive landscape of slag heaps, heather fields, and pine forests. Thorpark is part of the Hoge Kempen National Park. Follow the hiking trails towards Opglabbekerzavel and Heiderbos for purple-blooming heather.
Hiking through the heather in Thorpark
- Start at Thorpark for a 6 km hike through both heather reserves.
- horter hikes through the heather start at Moorsberg (6,4 km) and Heiderbos (4,5 km and 7,7 km) in Opglabbeek. Check out these hiking routes.
Cycling through the heather in Thorpark
Between nodes 548 and 508, you cycle through the heather of Opglabbekerzavel. These cycling routes pass here:
Oudsberg
The Oudsberg is he highest inland dune in Flanders and is located in the Limburg Duinengordel (Dune Belt). The dune is surrounded by beautiful heath fields. Get ready for a strenuous hike.
Hiking through the heather of Oudsberg
- From Camping Zavelbos, 3 hiking loops start ranging from 7.2 km to 14.7 km.
- At the Commandery of Gruitrode, you can follow loops of 9.3 km and 14.7 km.
- For a short hike of 4.5 km, start at the cemetery of Opglabbeek.
Heuvelse Heide
The first heathland gem in Bosland National Park is the Heuvelse Heide. This idyllic spot consists of sandy soils, heather, and pine forests. Along the way, you’ll come across the most beautiful vistas, made even more stunning by the water basin created by former sand extraction.
Hiking through the Heuvelse Heide
The Meerpaal Marina is the starting point for hikes of 7.2 km and 9.3 km.
Kattenbos
ou’ll find the charming purple flowers among the pine and deciduous trees of Kattenbos in Bosland National Park. Enjoy the splendor of the heather, with even a few juniper bushes here and there.
Hiking through the heather of Kattenbos
- From Zandstraat, 3 hiking routes start ranging from 2.2 km to 9.1 km. Check out our favorite 7.7 km hiking route.
- On this orange route – called the 'Kijkwandeling' – you’ll discover ten special landscape spots and viewpoints along the signposted paths.
- The Butterfly Walk of 2.2 km is also accessible with a stroller or wheelchair.
De Sahara
The Lommelse Sahara is best known for its sandy soils and pine forests, but it also offers some heath fields with Blekerheide and Riebosserheide. You walk through the northernmost part of Bosland National Park, up to the Dutch border.
Hiking through the heather of the Sahara
The starting point is De Soeverein in Lommel. Prepare for an 11.8 km walk.
De Teut and Ten Haagdoorn
The hiking areas of De Teut in Zonhoven and Ten Haagdoorn in Houthalen-Helchteren together form an extensive heath landscape in the middle of the De Wijers nature reserve. With more than 1,700 hectares of heather, this is the largest in central Limburg. You can explore this area not only on foot or by bike but also on horseback by following the marked equestrian trail through the heath fields.
Hiking in De Teut and Ten Haagdoorn
- Hiking loops of 3.8 and 4.3 km through De Teut can be found at the Donderslagsewegentry point. Check out these hiking routes.
- At Camping Holsteenbron , two more hikes of 1.8 km and 5.8 km start through Molenheide, the southern part of De Teut. Check out these hiking routes.
- To explore Ten Haagdoorn, start at Donderslagweg for a 4 km walk.
- ant to spend a whole day in the heath? Take a 24.3 km day trip through De Teut and Ten Haagdoorn.
Cycling in De Teut and Ten Haagdoorn
Cycle through the heath of Ten Haagdoorn between nodes 74 and 75. De Teut can be traversed between nodes 79 and 305.
On these cycling routes, you pedal straight through the heath of De Teut and Ten Haagdoorn.
De Maten
De Maten, on the border between Genk and Diepenbeek, is one of Belgium’s oldest nature reserves. Explore the unspoiled pond landscape characteristic of De Wijers, with dunes and heath.
Hiking through the heather of De Maten
- Four hiking trails ranging from 2.1 km to 9.9 km start at Slagmolen in Genk. Check out our favorite 4 km hiking route.
- Alternative starting points with additional hiking loops can be found at Kneippstraat and in Diepenbekerbos.
Hageven - Plateaux
De Groote Heide is a vast nature reserve that crosses the border with the Netherlands. A hundred years ago, it was almost entirely covered in heath. Since then, many forests have been planted, and the area is now rich in fauna and flora. Hageven - Plateaux is one of the most beautiful heathland spots you can visit.
Hiking through the Hageven – Plateaux heath
The starting point is the De Wulp Visitor Centre. You have the choice of 6 hikes ranging from 1.5 km to 9.7 km. Check out our favorite 6.7 km hiking route.
Gerhagen
The Gerhagen nature reserve in Tessenderlo is the westernmost point of Limburg, located at the crossroads of three provinces. The nature reserve forms Limburg's gateway to the De Merode landscape park. You mainly walk through wooded areas, but with Pinnekenswijer and Averbode Heide, you can still enjoy the purple heather in bloom.
Hiking through the heather of Gerhagen
The Forest Museum is the starting point for a 6.1 km hike (along Pinnekenswijer) and 13 km (along Averbode Heide).
Venusberg
In the Zwarte Beek valley in Lummen lies Venusberg. This is a fossilized sandbank millions of years old, where a small heathland area is hidden. To reach the summit, you walk through mysterious hollow roads, where you might even encounter 'hossemennekes'!
Hiking to the heather on Venusberg
Follow the blue hiking route of 6.1 km or the red hiking route of 9 km from the church in Meldert.
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