Mountain biking
Do you love adventurous mountain biking through beautiful countryside? Then come to the area around Hoge Kempen National Park. Here you will traverse magnificent forests and enjoy beautiful views in a varied landscape. The network includes 400 km of mountain bike trails, spread over 13 loops. 98% of the routes run on unpaved paths and are suitable for bikers of all levels.
The National Park's mountain bike network is very flexible thanks to its convenient junction system. The province and the municipalities involved have spent months working on the mountain bike network of the Hoge Kempen National Park. The steep ridge, created by the transition between the Meuse valley and the Kempen plateau, ensures that there are often tough climbs and descents to take with height differences of up to 45 metres.
For mountain bikers who like the challenge a bit more, there is the biking marathon: a tour of 82 km. Black arrows show them the way on this route between Maaseik and Lanaken. To the north and south, the routes connect to the network of Central Limburg and the Euregio.
However, we do ask you to stay on the mountain bike paths at all times. We aim to create separate paths/routes for hikers and mountain bikers so as not to disturb each other. Enjoy this privilege as a mountain biker, and please stay on the paths. Of course, also to spare nature.
You can ride the mountain bike trails in three ways:
• Via our MTB map which you can download for free here [1].
• Via the signposting on the terrain, you then follow one of the coloured triangles [2].
• Via GPX or Komoot: all our MTB routes are on Komoot, and can be viewed there. If you wish to download them, you have to "buy the region". We are already treating you to the region code "Limburg" (worth € 8.99), you can request your free voucher here. More info on the region codes and Komoot [3].
Comfortably on the road
Starting points
- Camping Kikmolen, Kikmolenstraat 3, Maasmechelen
- Kerkplein Opoeteren, Maaseik
- Kapel van de Weerstand, Brugstraat, Dilsen-Stokkem
- Mechelse Heide, Joseph Smeetslaan 280, Maasmechelen
- Station Eisden, Spoorwegstraat z/n, Maasmechelen
- Terhills Cableski, Nationaal Parklaan 5, Dilsen-Stokkem
- Papendaalheide, Sellerveldstraat, Zutendaal
- Sporthal Blookberg Zutendaal, Blookbergstraat 1, Zutendaal
- Kinderboerderij Pietersheim, Neerharenweg 12, Lanaken
- Station As, Stationsstraat 124, As
- Camping Zavelbos, Kattebeekstraat 1, Maaseik
- Sentower Park, Leemkuilstraat 21, Oudsbergen
- Sportzone Gruitrode, Groenstraat 38, Oudsbergen
Rent a (e-)mountainbike
In Oudsbergen at E-bike2Rent [4], you can rent e-mountain bikes and other electric bikes. On request, they also deliver to destination.
Charging stations
At Kattevennen (eatery Kattevenia), Mechelse Heide (cafeteria 't Salamanderke) and Pietersheim (cafeteria Kinderboerderij) there are charging stations for electric bikes.
Bike and Trail Parks
A bike park is a man-made area where cyclists can enjoy challenging trails, jumps, drops and turns. It is designed to offer a wide range of technical obstacles, from easy to very difficult courses, often with artificial hills and terrain. A trail park, on the other hand, uses natural paths and terrain. Although minor adjustments are sometimes made to make the trail suitable for cycling, it remains largely untouched and follows the natural relief of the landscape. It is ideal for those who want to experience nature while riding through varying terrains.
Attention: wearing a helmet is compulsory in all parks. We ask all visitors to show respect for nature and other users. Rubbish must be carried and it is forbidden to ride or walk outside the designated trails.
The Bike and Trail parks are accessible from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Bike park Kattevennen (Sport Vlaanderen Genk)
Bikepark Kattevennen offers a varied terrain with 3 tracks:
- High-Level Training Park: this training park, developed in cooperation with Cycling Vlaanderen and the local mountain bike club OMC, offers optimal preparation for mountain bikers. The park consists of a varied terrain with rock gardens and north shore elements, connected by a 4 km long singletrack. The largest climb has an altitude difference of 20 metres.
- Asphalt Pumptrack: at 240 metres, our asphalt pumptrack is one of the longest in Europe. The track is suitable for skateboards, BMX bikes, mountain bikes and scooters and has different levels of difficulty from beginner to advanced. The goal is to move forward by a pumping motion, without pedalling.
- Beginners' Course: this course is ideal for beginners and is used year-round for schools and sports camps. The semi-paved singletrack with wooden obstacles helps to learn basic techniques such as balance, turns and small jumps.
Dirt Park
Designed especially for freestyle mountain bikers, the Dirt Park consists of artificial hills and obstacles. With four lines, it offers opportunities for both recreational and experienced riders to improve their technique.
Please note that access to the Dirt Park is paying. Tickets are available here [5].
Bike park Maaseik
Bikepark Maaseik: is a former motocross circuit transformed into a technically challenging bike park where mountain bikers can hone their skills in a natural environment, click here for the full map. [6]
The park offers various obstacles such as jumps, drops, stairs and steep slopes built from natural materials. The routes are suitable for different levels:
- Mountain bike route (blue signage): a fixed loop accessible to most riders.
- Technical sections (black signposting): challenging elements for experienced mountain bikers.
Trailpark Klaverberg
Trailpark Klaverberg: offers a challenging trail network for mountain bikers, click here for the full map [7].
There is a technical loop of almost 4km (difficulty: medium), completely unpaved, with an extension of almost 1km. The route includes 4 climbs (yellow signage) and 7 descents of varying difficulty (1 blue, 4 red and 2 black), with a total distance of 2.5 km.
Report
Want to report a problem on our MTB trails, such as signage, infrastructure or a difficult passage? Then fill in our report form, and, if necessary, we will solve the report as soon as possible. Together, we make the Hoge Kempen National Park even better!