The best family-friendly hikes and walks in South Limburg

The church was presumably founded at the end of the tenth century. As early as 1027, a chapter of canons was associated with the church. In 1047, the archdeacon of Liège consecrated the church to St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Odulf, and the church was first mentioned in writing. In 1130-1131, the place of worship was replaced by a Romanesque church, using flint, river pebbles, and sandstone as building materials. A partially preserved and dated consecration stone depicting Christ, Peter, and Paul bears witness to this period. From 1290 onwards, the church was recorded as being in poor condition. About a century later, in 1396, the Romanesque tower disappeared to make way for the current Gothic tower (built: 1406). Significant extensions took place in the 18th century: the southern arm of the transept was built in 1773, the northern one in 1774, and in 1783 the large sacristy was built. The church's current Neo-Romanesque appearance is largely determined by the renovation in 1903 and 1904. Since 1935, the church, with the exception of the Neo-Romanesque aisles, has been a protected monument. In 2002, the protection was extended to the entire church. The church was renovated between 2014 and 2020 and restored to its full glory, with a focus on the Romanesque, Gothic, and Neo-Romanesque elements. Useful links: - https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Odulfuskerk_(Borgloon) - https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/31816 - https://www.borgloon.be/toerisme/groepsbezoeken/ontdek-borgloon/sint-odulphuskerk - https://sint-odulphuskerk.be/ - https://openchurches.eu/nl-be/gebouwen/sint-odulphus-borgloon - https://sint-odulphuskerk.be/halo-open-kerk/

The Schulensmeer is the largest inland lake in Flanders. Numerous benches invite you to take a break.

No doubt it's beautiful here...

This 380-meter pontoon bridge guides you gracefully between the slag heaps and across the water. Along the way, you'll be treated to a stunning 360° experience with views of the glistening water and the green slag heaps. "Cycling & Walking among the Slag Heaps" is a unique experience when visiting Hoge Kempen National Park!

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.

Deep in the forest, you'll find this stone staircase, a charming natural access to a higher path or viewpoint. Each step has been shaped by time and the elements, giving the path an organic, weathered character. As you climb, you're surrounded by tall trees, soft ferns, and the rustle of leaves. The staircase not only opens onto a new part of the forest but also offers a moment to catch your breath and absorb the sounds and scents of nature. In spring, moss glistens in the sunlight, and in autumn, fallen leaves form a colorful carpet on the steps.

Nice piece

"Cycling between the Tailings" is a floating pontoon bridge in the Hoge Kempen National Park, opening on September 14, 2024. Cyclists and hikers can enjoy a 360° view of the landscape between the iconic Eisden tailings, a unique experience that connects landscape and heritage. Info: https://www.visitlimburg.be/nl/fietsen-tussen-de-mijnterrils https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95NpzjiUD_c Text sign: Cycling between the Tailings Through innovation and daring, the provincial government has taken the cycling experience in Limburg to the next level. At carefully chosen locations, well-considered interventions have been made in the landscape, allowing you to experience the surroundings from a different perspective. Here, along the tailings, "Cycling between the Tailings" unfolds. This cycling and walking bridge floats elegantly over the water, its flowing and organic spiral shape providing a 360-degree view of the landscape and heritage, telling the stories of the mines and the gravel and sand extraction. It is an invitation to further explore the Hoge Kempen National Park. Cycling between the slag heaps transcends its function as a functional cycling and walking route. It is a Limburg bridge connecting nature and heritage, between Limburg's rich past and promising future. The bridge is a technical feat. A length of 380 meters is spanned by 28 interconnected concrete floating pontoon elements, each 13 meters long. The bridge is anchored underwater to 15 steel tubular piles, each 1 meter in diameter and weighing 8 to 11 tons, which extend to a depth of 24 to 26 meters.