The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Vlaams Natuurreservaat Mechelse Heide

The view of the Kikbeek spring is one of the most tranquil and characteristic spots in the Hoge Kempen National Park. The Kikbeek stream originates in this valley, formed in a former sand and gravel quarry, creating a landscape where water, heathland, forest, and open space merge almost naturally. From the paths around the spring, you normally look out over a varied landscape of tranquil water features, reed beds, and gently rolling hills, where the stream calmly winds its way through the valley. The view has a subdued and natural quality, as if the landscape slowly unfolds without being obtrusive. The Kikbeek spring is ecologically valuable and forms a key part of the water system in this part of the park. Precisely because of this vulnerability, the valley has recently been the scene of major works. Following problems with instability and landslides, large parts of the area are officially closed to visitors. Simultaneously, a large-scale nature and water restoration project is underway here, aimed at retaining water, strengthening wetlands, and restoring the original character of the spring valley. Signs and closures make it clear that the area is temporarily inaccessible and that hikers are being diverted to ensure safety and nature restoration. Despite these closures, the view of the Kikbeekbron remains compelling. The openness of the landscape, the play of light on the water, and the tranquility of the valley make this a place that arouses curiosity and invites you to come closer. In my case, that meant sneaking through the area beyond the official boundaries to experience the view with my own eyes. That personal moment emphasizes how powerful this place can be, and the contrast between the silence of nature and the knowledge that you are in a closed-off zone makes the experience more intense and almost mysterious. The view of the Kikbeekbron thus symbolizes the tension that sometimes exists in nature reserves between protection and experience, between necessary work and the human need to experience beauty up close. While the area recovers and slowly evolves into a future-proof valley, this view, whether seen from a distance or only from a distance, remains one of the most meaningful and atmospheric landscapes in the Hoge Kempen National Park.

Beautiful route and nice view point

Great view of the heathland

From this vantage point in the Mechelse Heide, you have a magnificent view of the green fields, rolling hills, and the lake nestled in the heart of the nature reserve. The view combines landscape and water, creating a uniquely atmospheric and photogenic panorama. The lake was created as part of the Mechelse Heide nature management program and provides a valuable habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, and other water-loving animals. Grasslands and hedgerows surround the water, giving the area character and lending the landscape a typical Voeren charm.

The viewpoint in the Mechelse Heide offers hikers a magnificent panorama of the vast, hilly landscape of the Voerstreek region. From this elevated spot, you can enjoy expansive vistas of rolling meadows, wooded banks, sunken lanes, and the picturesque villages that dot the landscape. The Mechelse Heide itself is a nature reserve with heathlands, grasslands, and marshlands where diverse plants and animals thrive. The viewpoint offers not only a scenic stop during a walk but also an opportunity to spot birds or study the landscape's relief.

The boardwalk in the Ven onder de Berg Nature Reserve offers hikers a unique way to explore the marshy and wet landscape of the Voer region. The path is elevated above the damp ground and reeds, allowing visitors to walk through the reserve without getting their feet wet or disturbing the natural environment. The nature reserve itself is rich in biodiversity: reed beds, damp grasslands, and small ponds provide a home for amphibians, waterfowl, and unique plants such as bog myrtle and marsh marigold. The boardwalk allows hikers to observe and photograph this unique flora and fauna up close without damaging the fragile ecosystem.

Beautiful viewpoint

At the foot of a slope or small plateau lies a tranquil fen, surrounded by heathland, grasslands, and occasional woodland. The water attracts birds, amphibians, and insects, creating a peaceful and atmospheric corner of the landscape. From the surrounding footpaths, the fen offers beautiful views and a place for visitors to enjoy nature and the reflections of the surroundings in the water.