9 beautiful winter hikes
Experience the beautiful Limburg nature? You can do that in winter too! Choose one of the nine hikes we have selected, bundle up warmly and set off! Afterwards, you can recharge in a cozy hospitality venue where Limburg hospitality warms both your body and your heart.
Warmbeekvallei in De Groote Heide
Start at the former Trappist Abbey 'Achelse Kluis' and choose the yellow loop of 8.5 km. The hiking route runs along the banks of the Warmbeek with a beautiful view of the abbey and the surrounding meadows. Then hike through fragrant pine woodlands to Domein De Bever where you can visit the beautiful pond, and through the Hamontse forests to the stately avenue leading to the Achelse Kluis to return to your starting point.
Tip: in the Brasserie of the Achelse Kluis, you can put your feet under the original Abbey Tables of the fathers (Mon-Fri open from 11 am, Sat-Sun open from 10 am).
Station As in Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen
For years, Station As played a central role in coal mining in this region, as many miners and coal wagons departed from here to the nearby mines in Eisden, Waterschei, and Winterslag. The blue hiking route of 5.5 km takes you from the gateway Station As through the former quarry area 'Aan de Windelsteen' via the old coal trail.
Tip: the former small station of As is now a cozy brasserie where you can still soak up the atmosphere of the past. ’t Stasjon is open every day, except Monday and Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Duinenpark Molenheide in De Wijers
The rolling, sandy dunes of Duinenpark Molenheide not only offer the ideal sledding course but also form a beautiful landscape for hiking. Warm up at the forest canteen Ter Duinen and greet the wild boars. Now just hope for snow… Please stay on the paths to protect the beautiful nature.
Tip: Going out with children? Pick up the discovery map at Ter Duinen and dive playfully into the sand (open on weekends and holidays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
Sahara in National Park Bosland
In the north of Limburg, you will find the vast sandy plain of the Lommelse Sahara. This is a unique and surprising desert-like landscape in Flanders. Around the sandy plain are clear little lakes, heathland strips, and pine trees. The orange route of 5.5 km introduces you to the most beautiful spots of the Sahara. The hiking trail largely follows the blue route but offers even more variety. Along the way, you will discover the monumental pedestrian bridge and enjoy beautiful views over heathland and agricultural landscapes.
Tip: for a drink, snack, or meal, you can visit the child-friendly brasserie 'De Kantine' which is part of Sportcentrum De Soeverein (open daily from 8:30 am).
Groot-Gelmen in Haspengouw
Start at the church of the eponymous typical Haspengouw village for a hike of 8 km connecting Groot- and Klein-Gelmen, two Haspengouw villages each with its own character. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views, hike through a nature reserve in the Herkvallei, and pass a holloway with a unique geological history.
Tip: You can visit the local café ‘Bij Voetje’ every day from 10:30 am or end your hike at bistro Lelijke Eendje (open from 6 pm, closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays).
Oud-Rekem in RivierPark Maasvallei
The yellow hiking loop (8 km) of the hiking area Oud-Rekem lets you enjoy the Maas villages Oud-Rekem, Boorsem, and Uikhoven and takes you through the nature reserve de Oude Weerd. De Oude Weerd is a small-scale area with a mix of wooded edges, hedges, groves, and ponds. It serves as an important stepping stone for various plants and animals in the nature connection that links the Ziepbeek and the nature cores along the Maas with those of the Hoge Kempen. It is also the only area in RivierPark Maasvallei where grazing by ponies occurs.
Tip: In the hospitality venues in Oud-Rekem you can warm up after your winter hike with a hot drink and a delicious slice of vlaai.
St. Maartensheide & De Luysen in KempenBroek
Start from the Luysmolen or the Mariahof for a varied hiking route of 7.5 km along the Abeek, and visit the 3 bird hides, which offer a view of the ponds of the Luysen with their special birds. This hike also takes you through the small-scale agricultural landscape with woodlands, tree lines and meadows with wooded edges. You might spot the yellowhammer or the woodchat shrike here.
Tip: on Sundays between 2 pm and 5 pm you can visit Natuur.huis Mariahof - De Luysen, an information point of Natuurpunt, for a drink.
Beringen-Mine in the Valley of the Zwarte Beek
The red route of 6.5 km is a hike for the true nature lover. You hike over the large spoil tip of Beringen and discover the woodlands at the foot of the hill. Those who climb a little extra can make a short detour halfway along the route to the top of the mine spoil tip. Here you are treated to a beautiful view of the entire mining settlement, and you can see miles around.
Tip: start at diving and snorkeling center TODI where you can visit the brasserie before or after your hike (opening hours at www.todi.be)
Kanne in Sint-Pietersberg
Kanne... The carved-out valley of the Jeker forms an enchanting setting. Start your 7 km hike at the bridge of Vroenhoven (Riemst), an experience center about WWII and inland navigation. The highlight of this hike is the Fort of Eben-Emael, a unique underground military complex, with beautiful views over the Meuse and the Albert Canal from the plateau.
Tip: Stop along the way at Opcanner Anker, with an extensive beer menu (open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.)