Discover the landscape of De Wijers in the centre of Limburg. The 24 km day hike leads you via the valley of the Laambeek and the Roosterbeek through Zonhoven, Houthalen-Helchteren and Genk. With vast ponds, fens, purple-flowering heaths and fragrant forests, this route offers the ultimate blend of natural beauty.
Today, De Wijers, with its many fishing ponds, is home to a unique ecosystem including waterbirds and amphibians. The first part of the route consists of a lot of woodland. At the start, you walk past the abbey farm, around the ponds and through the ancient chestnut tree lane. The Hengelhoef visitor centre is another interesting stop-off further along the route. The former forester's house now serves as a tourist information centre of the Limburgs Landschap VZW nature association.
The route boasts some truly breathtaking views of the vast moorland landscapes, especially from the highest point of the route in De Teut. The flowering heather (mid-August to mid-September) creates a magnificent purple glow. You may even come across a stag beetle in the surrounding forests. This is the largest species of beetle in Flanders with some rather impressive ‘antlers’.
- 24.3 km
- Challenging
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Domein Kelchterhoef
Kelchterhoefstraat 7
HOUTHALEN-HELCHTEREN