Bergerven - yellow - 13,6 km

In the Hoge Kempen National Park, 10 walking routes have been awarded the European quality label Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe, Day Walk, presented by the European Hiking Federation. These Top Trails meet strict quality requirements in terms of landscape variety, presence of natural and cultural values, signposting and infrastructure.

During this route, you will also walk through the cultural landscape “De Houw”. Along the way, you will be treated to several panoramic views, and in clear weather, you can even see as far as Germany.

The Bosbeek rises in As, flows through the villages of Opoeteren and Neeroeteren, and 22 km further on, near Aldeneik (Maaseik), flows into the Meuse. Over this short distance, it has a drop of 50 metres, which makes it suitable for the construction of water mills: 16 in total. The valley cuts deep into the Kempen Plateau and divides it in two, as it were. Natuurpunt is developing a nature reserve here from source to mouth through the purchase and appropriate management of dozens of abandoned plots of land.

Bergerven is a nature reserve managed by Limburgs Landschap. In order to increase the diversity of the landscape and thus the number of plant and animal species, Limburgs Landschap vzw enlists the help of Galloway cattle and Konik horses. The area is characterised by the pools of water that remain after gravel extraction in this area. It is a paradise for many water birds.

Please note: this route has been modified. If you have a map from before 2025, the route on the ground will no longer correspond to the map.