Hike & Bike Adventure

Long description

Day 1: Long or short walk

On the way to the hotel, you can already take an exploratory walk at one of the entrance gates of the Hoge Kempen National Park. Do you like the silence? Then trek through the Bergerven silence area and the Bosbeek valley. This area is the ultimate spot for bird watching or walking among the Galloway cattle & Konik horses. Bergerven lake is surrounded by surprising slopes and the typical Limburg pine forests. The Bosbeek stream has the purest water in Flanders and here you will find unique plant and animal species. (walk of 15 km)
If you are more into vistas and lakes, take your introductory walk (8 km) in the Valley of the Kikbeek, this landscape combines Flanders' largest heath landscape with the mountain and lake landscape of the Kikbeek spring. And with a bit of luck, you'll come across Norwegian fjord horses. Both walks are on the route to the hotel or near the hotel.

Day 2: Bike ride with optional short hikes to viewpoints

A beautiful bike tour that takes you past the highlights of the Hoge Kempen National Park. You start at the Visitor Centre in Terhills (near the hotel) where you can climb the mine shaft and delve into the mining history that runs like a thread through the Hoge Kempen National Park. You first cycle through the award-winning garden districts of Eisden, including the cathedral. Via the Mechels Bos and the popular nature reserve Mechelse Heide, you arrive at Cycling through the Heath with its famous wooden bridge. Still following the Limburg Cycle Route Network, you trek along the Valley of the Ziepbeek to Zutendaal, the ‘greenest candy in Flanders’. Then the endless pine forests take you via Kattevennen and the Waterschei mining town to Thorpark for a climb (on foot) to the top of Klaverberg. Via the famous ‘Stationnetje van As’ (beautiful stopping place with catering facilities and viewing tower) you cycle through the Lanklaarderbos to the highlight of the tour: Cycling between the Mijnterrils: you cycle across a floating bridge on a lake situated between green hills. It doesn't get more unique in Flanders. You finish again at the Visitor Centre in Terhills where you can take another walk (3 km) to the most beautiful Panorama in Flanders. Optionally, you end the day with Wellness at Elaisa.

Day 3: Walking or cycling

After the green pine forests, blue lakes, purple heaths, and rolling hills, we complete the variety of landscapes on offer and head through the Duinengordel; an area that alternates deciduous forests and sandy plains with, yes, dunes. You start at the historical site of the Commandery of Gruitrode and walk for 10 km through woods, heathland and dunes. The chapels along the way are the only form of human presence. The highlight is, literally and figuratively, the Oudsberg, Belgium's highest dune with surprising views over the surrounding area.  

The most popular area of the National Park is the Mechelse Heide, more than 1,000,000 hikers come here every year to feast their eyes. If you haven't been here before, we have worked out the TopTrail for you; an exclusive 9-km digital route that takes you past gravel lakes, moors, hollow roads, viewpoints and lakes. All the highlights of this area in 1 beautiful hike.

If you would rather go cycling on this third day, we have worked out a fascinating cycling route in the Meuse Valley for you. The cycle route starts 2 km from the hotel and takes you along the Meuse, the border river between Belgium and the Netherlands. You'll cycle past the Konik horses in Negenoord, the Maasplassen, vineyards, castles and farms. But it is above all the enormous views over the Meuse that will stay with you. The (free) ferries take you from the Netherlands to Belgium, and you alternate natural areas with picturesque villages or a nice city like Maaseik. And at the end of the route you can enjoy an optional wine tasting.

Optional: Would you like to stay an extra day? Then we have worked out a 55km cycling tour in the north of the National Park.

What does it cost?

You pay 239€ per person for a double room. For a single room, you pay a 50€ supplement. A dog is welcome from 10€ for the entire stay (Small dogs €10, and large dogs €15).

How it works.

We know the National Park like no other, so we work out the best tours for you. Enter your desired period in the request form below, and together we will work to offer you a complete tailor-made package. If available at the partner hotels, we will confirm your request. Upon booking you will receive a comprehensive itinerary from us, with routes, GPX files, descriptions, walking and cycling maps, discount vouchers, and more. You just have to enjoy :-). 

Your stay?

• Double room (beds can be pushed apart)
• Private bathroom
• Hairdryer
• Towels
• Desk
• Free WiFi
• Flat screen TV
• Restaurant/breakfast room
• Free parking
• Bicycle shed with charging facilities
• Up to 2 km from the main entrance gate to the National Park

Bicycles:

• You can bring your own bike, and store and charge it for free at the hotel.
• You can reserve an electric bike online at the National Park Visitor Centre (30€/day), it will be ready where the bike tour starts. Through this package, you get 50% discount on bike rental.
• You can rent a bike through the hotel (32€/day).
   

*A reservation whose dates are available automatically implies an obligation to pay.

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