A cycling or hiking trip is only complete with a tasty picnic. And you prefer to do that in a special place, right? In the Hoge Kempen National Park you will find lots of nice picnic spots. Picnicking on the water or in a work of art? You can! We list the special places for you by gateway. Who will you surprise with a delicious picnic basket?
Picnicking in Terhills (Maasmechelen)
You have to climb a terril for it, but then you can picnic with the most beautiful panorama in Flanders behind you! You will find the picnic bench between walk points 4 and 6. You can leave from the National Park Visitor Centre in Maasmechelen. On the purple walk, you will also find a picnic table with a view of the large lake, between walk points 8 and 11.
Picnicking in Lieteberg (Zutendaal)
Bezoensbergis one of the quietest (picnic) spots in the National Park. You will find the picnic spot between hiking turn-off 97 - 99 or between bicycle junction 532 - 62. TIP: Combine your picnic with the Barefoot Path!
At surf lake Papendaalheide, you can also enjoy a picnic by the water between hiking points 118 and 298.
Picnicking in Kattevennen (Genk)
Have you ever picnicked in a work of art? Corpus is not just a picnic bench in the woods, but a real work of art created by Will Beckers. Ideal as a start, stopover or end of a walk in the woods of the National Park. This cosy cocoon is located just behind the visitors' centre of the Kattevennen entrance gate.
Picnicking in Thor Park (Genk)
Chance of rain? Then go for the covered picnic areas at Thor Park. Give your visit extra flavour and order a multi-culinary picnic basket from Visit Genk. Pick up your basket of goodies at the Mine Depot in the main Thor Central building.
Picnicking in Station As
This shadowed picnic spot can be found at the observation tower of Station As. After your meal, you're sure to have new energy to climb it. You will find the picnic table at cycle junction 41 and within walking distance of the Station As entrance gate. There is also a picnic table at Rouwmortelven.
Picnicking in Munsterbos (Bilzen)
Heritage central if you want to picnic in Munster Forest. Take a seat at the picnic table by the pond in Park Edelhof and overlook the imposing Edelhof Castle. There is also a nice picnic table at St Amor's Chapel.
Picnicking in Duinengordel
- Picnicking by the water? Then the picnic platform at Ruiterskuilen is a good idea. This oasis of peace and quiet is located in Opglabbeek and can be reached via the cycle route network between nodes 33 and 70 or via the yellow and blue walking loop in the Donderslag area.
- In Opoeteren, you can paddle in the clear water of the Bosbeek from a picnic spot. Choose your spot in the sun or take shelter in bad weather and let yourself be enchanted by the contemporary design and craftsmanship of some local students. Do you dare to take a seat on the end floating above the water? This resting spot is located between nodes 37 and 38 of the cycle route network in the Berkendijk.
- Climb to the top of the Oudsberg and spread your blanket for a cosy picnic. You get the golden view for free.
- Going with a large group? In the Joekelbos you will find the longest picnic table in the National Park. You get the view of the golden playground mountain for free.
Psst: are you keeping our nature clean? Everything you take IN the National Park, you also take back OUT of the National Park. Nature thanks you!
