Top 20 Lakes around Wellen

The Pomperikvijver is reserved for sport fishing by the Royal Fishing Club "Geduld" Diepenbeek.

Our small country is a patchwork of small-scale nature reserves that overlap and influence each other, and that is also the case here. You are in the Mombeek valley, a stone's throw from Spoorwegzate and the Sint-Annabeek valley. From Opleeuw, a unique grassland hill bends towards Kerniel. Impoverished grass and hay fields of, among other things, glossy oat, marsh marigold and blue grass are in full development here and will attract various plants, including colourful orchids. Finally, note the high-stem orchards of Zammelen, the sloping forest and the many springs. In any case, there are enough information boards along the way to learn and read all about it. In short: variety galore. More about the Mombeek valley, the central area at this location, can be found at https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/mombeekvallei

The paved road between the ponds in the Heidestraat has been traffic-free for many years, but the paving was in poor condition and was replaced by ochre-coloured asphalt. Cyclists and walkers with, for example, prams, can easily experience the area. Along the way, you can discover nature from two new platforms with benches that offer a beautiful view of the ponds.

The ponds of Nieuwenhove are about to change. Nieuwenhove is getting a brand new visitors centre in the form of a pavilion on screw piles at the historic pond, which should make it seem as if it is floating. The building should blend in with the surroundings and biodiversity will play an important role. The reception building will not only be on a jetty at the pond, it will also have to enter into a 'dialogue' with the two well-known existing heritage buildings. In order to be able to create a natural clear fish pond, the carp will also be removed. Everything should be ready by the autumn of 2024. The building and the pond adjustments are just a few changes to the whole. For example, the avenue will be redesigned, the playground will be reorganised, the Kelsbeek will be partly relocated, the canal will be opened up to make water more visible, and so on. Info at https://www.limburg.be/Limburg/bouwt/Sites/Nieuwenhoven

Dorpsbemden-Pomperik is a well-known nature reserve in Diepenbeek, in the valleys of the Demer and the Kaatsbeek (which is close to this highlight). The Pomperik from the name of the reserve is a fishing pond (a beautiful one, by the way). And the Dorpsbemden extend east of the Stationsstraat between the fish pond "De Pomperik" and the Demer. You can read it all (with walking routes) here: https://www.diepenbeek.be/wandelroutes And, where this highlight is located, you will also find an information board that explains it in detail while you enjoy the Pomperik.

Along both sides of the cycling and walking path that runs between the nature reserves and ponds of the Dauteweyers, there are now wooden platforms (partly above the water) with a total of four wonderful benches. You just have to enjoy yourself here.

The Dauteweyers, a very wetland area, together with the Pomperik-Dorpsbemden, form an important habitat for animals and plants. The graceful ponds along the Dautebeek are the calling card of the Dauteweyers. The ponds were created last century by the mining of iron ore. You will also find hay meadows, alder groves, a pond, a knotel hedge and water-bound plants and animals here.

This walking area in the southernmost part of the Wijers guides you through a wide variety of landscapes around Diepenbeek. The entire area is extremely rich in water. There are several ponds with landing zones. There are alder forests and moist meadows around these ponds. The ideal habitat for the rare tree frog. The Demer, the Kaatsbeek, the Stiemerbeek and the Laak meander through the area. Here you will find landscaped ponds, hedgerows, blue grasslands and very rich meadows with plants such as the wreathed caraway, marigold and spotted orchid. In the summer you can admire the flowery hay meadows. Stay on the paths so that the rare plants are not damaged.