Hiking in the Hoge Kempen National Park: Mechelse Heide
Mechelse Heide - purple - 12.5 km
Start
Start: The Mechelse Heide is the gateway
This hiking adventure begins at the Mechelse Heide, the entry point to the impressive Hoge Kempen National Park. The Mechelse Heide is also an ideal base from which to explore this vast green space. It's also a route that's to die for, especially in the summer. From mid-August to mid-September, the heather blooms profusely there and the heath is transformed into a natural carpet of purple flowers.
Eisden Station
After a short walk through the Mechels Bos (Mechels Forest), we arrive at the former Eisden train station, situated along the old railway line that was used for transporting coal. The line was of crucial importance to the mining industry, which was once a major presence here. In 1920, a railway line was built between the villages of As and Eisden and this station was constructed shortly afterwards. Not only the mine-workers but also the coal they mined were transported along this route. But that's all in the distant past now. Today, the cosy tavern De Statie and the recently restored hikers' cabins can be found there.
Mechels Bos
After stopping at that historical location, we'll then walk back to the Mechels Bos, which, together with the Lanklaar Forest, forms part of a larger forested area. During the famously hot and dry summer of 1976, nearly two square kilometres of this area was destroyed by forest fires. In some areas, trees were replanted. In others, they were not and a new, picturesque forest of birch trees began growing there on its own.
Mechelse Heide
Please note – at this point, it's best to take a look both to the left and the right. We will now cross a street and will find ourselves in the Mechelse Heide, the heart of the Hoge Kempen National Park. Each summer, this little corner of nature is transformed into a beautiful carpet of purple flowers. Combined with the rolling landscape, this certainly provides for a spectacular view.
Sand and gravel ponds
After passing through that lush sea of flowers, we then continue walking downhill and suddenly find ourselves between two former sand and gravel pits. Sand and gravel are still being extracted today, but those activities are gradually coming to an end. At some point in the future, they will be shut down completely. Nature is being given every opportunity to thrive here today and we get to enjoy it.
Erratic boulders
On this hiking adventure, the kilometres fly by, but we aren't the only ones who have already come a long way. Along the walking trail are a few ‘erratic boulders’ that were once excavated from the gravel pit. The reason why these are known as erratic boulders is because they were found a long way from their original location in the Belgian Ardennes. During the Ice Ages, water and ice carried them to this place.
Mechelse Heide panorama point
We're gradually approaching the highpoint of this hike and that is literally the case. After a challenging climb, we reach the Mechelse Heide Panorama Point, which is the highest natural point in the Hoge Kempen National Park. From there, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding area, including the slag heaps of Waterschei and Eisden, imposing mine derricks, the vast forests of the national park, and much more. It's definitely a highlight of this route.
Finish: The Mechelse Heide is the entry point
What goes up, must come down. We will then walk back down towards the Mechelse Heide entry point, where Brasserie ‘t Salamanderke will welcome us with open arms for a bite to eat and a drink. It's a great place to relax after a brisk walk.
Finish
Top 10 Trails
The Hoge Kempen National Park offers endless opportunities for hiking, as the 10 Top Trails of the park clearly show. These trails meet strict quality standards in terms of landscape diversity, nature, cultural heritage and infrastructure. Each of these circular hikes proudly carries the European quality label Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe, Day Walk, awarded by the European Hiking Federation. They're definitely well worth exploring!
