Hiking in the Hoge Kempen National Park: Duinengordel Trail (yellow)

This beautiful hiking trail in the impressive Hoge Kempen National Park begins at the Gruitrode Commandery. Until 1801, this was one of the twelve commanderies of the Crusaders of the Teutonic Order. At that time, the estate consisted of a castle and a square farmhouse. The commandery played an important role in the history of this region. Partly as a result of its presence, the town of Gruitrode eventually grew into an important centre of trade and commerce in the region. This site is undergoing restoration today. For the Dune Belt area, it will soon become a true entry point of the national park.

It’s no coincidence that this part of the national park is called the Dune Belt. Along the way, we'll come across quite a few sand dunes. The Oudsberg is the best-known of them all. We make our way through the loose sand to the top of what is Belgium’s highest inland dune, which rises about 35 metres above the Kempen Plateau. It's a tough climb, but it's worth the effort. At the top, we're rewarded with a breathtaking panorama. We can see the rolling dunes, but also a remarkable tree: a coppiced oak whose roots have been exposed by the wind. Across the Bosbeek Valley, we can see the southern part of the Hoge Kempen National Park. An impressive view.

After that well-deserved break, we're ready for another climb. Our route immediately leads uphill towards the summit of the Mariaberg. At the top of this overgrown dune, which was ravaged by a severe forest fire in 1959, stands a small brick chapel. A beautiful piece of heritage nestled among the Scots pines that survived the fire.