Mechelse Heide - blue - 4,6 km
Hike along heathland, abandoned fields, and through a former gravel and sand quarry where nature has reclaimed its territory.
Extensive description CloseThe Kikbeek source is a 3 km² subarea of the National Park that mainly consists of a former gravel and sand quarry, heathland, and abandoned fields. The Kikbeek springs from this quarry.
You might encounter the Norwegian fjord horses here: they graze and create more variety in the heathland. Dogs are not allowed here.
This quarry has also created a 'window' onto 60 million years of the earth's crust formation history. The geological working group of LIKONA (Limburg Dome for Nature Study) has developed a geological garden in the quarry. This can only be visited with a guide. More info: likona@limburg.be.
The blue and green hikes are not accessible from October 18, 2024 to December 31, 2025. The Agency for Nature and Forestry is starting the largest Blue Deal project in Flanders at the Kikbeek source in Maasmechelen. The goal is to restore the ecosystem of the original Kikbeekvallei. As a result, more water will be retained in the area.
Distance
Average time
Ascent
Start points
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Mechelse Heide - Starting point Camping Kikmolen
Kikmolenstraat 3 , 3630 Maasmechelen
Practical info
Parking
- Sturdy shoes or boots recommended after a wet period
- Risk of slipping: the trails, steep slopes and stairways can be muddy and slippery.
