Top 20 Natural Monuments around Vorselaar

The Kesselse Heide is a provincial green space covering 79 hectares, 61 of which are open to the public. The initial acquisition took place in 1978, and it has been expanded since then. The entrance is located in Nijlen, at Vaerestraat 4. The space is freely accessible daily from sunrise to sunset. There are two ponds in the area. These old wells not only provide a pleasant change of scenery but are also a boon for the many plants and animals. Since 1996, the Kesselse Heide has been a protected landscape. It is one of the few remaining remnants of the once vast Kempen heathlands. The heath is a living community created in our region by humans. Historical agricultural practices created a landscape that has been preserved through human intervention: grazing by sheep, burning the heath, and sod cutting. Sod cutting is the removal of the topsoil and vegetation. A dug-out sod of plants and their roots is a sod. If heathland is left untreated, it will evolve into oak and birch forests, and the typical species associated with a heathland habitat will disappear. In the mid-19th century, the Kesselse Heide—like many other parts of the Kempen region—was afforested with Scots pine, a valuable timber for mining. However, during both World Wars, these sod-covered forests were felled, and from then on, the heathland was able to expand again. Current management consists of removing trees and mechanically cutting sods to give the open heathland every chance to thrive. https://youtu.be/NoPf0HSeFz8

The Kesselse Heide-Het Goor area consists of a variety of nutrient-poor meadows, pastures, marshes, and ponds, bordered and crisscrossed by enclosed landscape types, and contains numerous landscape elements. The area is characterized by a richly varied and sometimes rare flora. Several historic farm buildings can be found within the area. The Kesselse Heide-Het Goor area, with an area of approximately 2,620 hectares, is located between the villages of Nijlen and Kessel, north of the Lier-Herentals road. The northern border of this area is along Vogelzangstraat, the eastern border along Achterbist, Kannaertsstraat, and Goorstraat. The Grote Steenweg forms the southern border, and the western border is formed by Heidestraat and Vaerestraat. The landscape includes the following topographical areas: "Kannaerdsche Heyde," "Kesselse Heide," "Mol Heide," "Achterbiest," "Het Hoog Bosch," "De Hooge Heide," "Het Armveld," "De Schommers" or "Vissen Eynde," "Het Goor," "Het Goorkasteel," and "Hoge Heyde." Several streams traverse the area, specifically the Goorkantloop, the Elstbeek, the Paddenloop, Blauwe Hoekloop, and the Visbeek. The elevation within the area varies from approximately 5 meters +TAW to approximately 10 meters +TAW. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Kesselse Heide-Het Goor, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/302886

Many captivating stories have been written about this well (not just any well). The first probably dates back to 1571, when Lieske Coolbonders committed suicide by drowning herself in the well while the devil himself was pursuing her. Lieske was the illegitimate daughter of Katrien Coolbonders, who was raped by a Spanish nobleman. The nobleman was murdered by Katrien's husband. The body was first dumped in the Devil's Well. Later, it was buried somewhere nearby. (Efkesweg.be)

Viewed from above, with a little imagination, the Kempen Ridge's relief can be seen as if a giant were sleeping beneath the landscape. Because of the vegetation on the sand dunes, they no longer move, and the giant's slumber is not disturbed. In 2018, Gijs Van Vaerenbergh's artwork, "A Giant Sculpture," was unveiled. It was placed on the 30-meter-high summit of the Hoge Mouw sand dune. (Efkesweg.be)

In a thunderstorm, it is best not to touch it, a lightning strike can be dangerous. Inside it is a Faraday cage and you are safe, but what if you touch the corten steel at the moment that lightning strikes? Still, stay away from this beautiful work of art in a thunderstorm!?

Very nice walk with a lot of variety in landscapes and terrain.

Fun to spin the wheel here and listen to the story around this mysterious pool...

A special one... you must see it