Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Running trails & routes

De Maten Nature Reserve – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Natuurreservaat De Maten

Routes

Running trails & routes

De Maten Nature Reserve – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Natuurreservaat De Maten

Moderate

4.0

(1)

runners

De Maten Nature Reserve – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Natuurreservaat De Maten

00:40

5.99km

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 8, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Natuurreservaat De Maten

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.87 km

Slagmolen Watermill Genk

Highlight • Monument

This water mill on the Stiemerbeek was built in 1523 as a fulling mill where the woven cloth was 'fulled'.
From 1645 it was a book mill and then a beating mill. From 1843, a grain mill was also operated here, which was renovated in 1899 and remained in operation until 1955.
Completely restored, the building was reopened as an inn in 1966 and in December 1987 the mill could be used again for the first time.
A visit to the tastefully decorated barroom is highly recommended.
Source: hiking guide: GR 5/E2 North Sea - Riviera - route to the low countries

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.29 km

Pond and bench in De Maten Nature Reserve

Highlight • Lake

The name Maten is related to the English "meadows". The area is part of De Wijers, a pond complex on the transition from the Kempens Plateau to the Demer valley. On the poor sandy soils of the Kempen, fish farming was a source of extra protein. As early as the Middle Ages, series of ponds were constructed via simple transverse dikes in the valley. The overflow of one pond simultaneously forms the supply for the next pond. The Stiemerbeek valley was dammed up several times for the ponds in De Maten. As fish farming became more intensive in the first half of the twentieth century, many ponds acquired separate inlets and outlets. In De Maten you will find a mix of both systems. Water management is therefore a complicated part of the management of one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders. Source and more at natuurpunt.be/natuurgebied/de-maten

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.39 km

Homeles Pond

Highlight • Lake

The name Maten is related to the English "meadows". The area is part of De Wijers, a pond complex on the transition from the Kempen Plateau to the Demer valley. On the poor sandy soils of the Kempen, fish farming was a source of extra proteins. As early as the Middle Ages, series of ponds were constructed using simple cross dikes in the valley. The overflow from one pond simultaneously forms the supply for the next pond. For the ponds in De Maten, the Stiemerbeek valley was dammed several times. As fish farming became more intensive in the first half of the twentieth century, many ponds were given separate inlets and outlets. In De Maten, you can still find a mix of both systems. Water management is therefore a complicated part of the management of one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.63 km

De Maten Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

De Maten is one of the large pond areas in the area De Wijers, the land of 1,001 ponds. This largest contiguous pond area in Belgium is a true bird paradise. In De Maten you can enjoy two worlds: the nature of the dry heath and grasslands on inland dunes, and the wet nature in ponds and peaty lowlands in the landscape.
(natura2000.vlaanderen.be/gebied/de-maten)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.00 km

De Maten Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Together with the Valley of the Stiemerbeek, De Maten forms a nature reserve that is part of De Wijers and is located on the territory of Genk, Hasselt and Diepenbeek. Many water features and water birds, but also a lot of heathland and beautiful pieces of forest. Water mill De Slagmolen will be completely renovated in 2024 to form a modern and complete visitor center for the nature reserve.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.38 km

Sunrise over the ponds at Natuurreservaat De Maten

Highlight • Lake

You can also enjoy the afternoon sun here...

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.86 km

De Maten Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Nature reserve De Maten, in the province of Limburg, between Genk and Hasselt, is one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders. The walking routes run between the heath and along ponds with swaying reed collars. The nature reserve is part of the De Wijers pond complex. All info at natuurpunt.be/natuurgebied/de-maten

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.26 km

Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The new bridge over the Stiemerbeek is a joint project of Natuurpunt Genk, de Wijers and the city of Genk. The bridge connects the hiking trails on both sides of the Stiemerbeek and provides access to the nature reserve. This way walkers can walk more safely in a green environment.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.99 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.62 km

1.93 km

746 m

442 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.10 km

1.31 km

990 m

201 m

112 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Tuesday 21 July

22°C

12°C

18 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

Want to know more?

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Report restricted access

Nearby routes

Hard

5.0

1,108

Nature trail Hoge Kempen long - Limburg

02:33h

22.0km

230m

Moderate

4.4

644

Nature trail Hoge Kempen medium-long - Limburg

01:36h

14.0km

100m

Hard

5.0

602

National Park Marathon

05:07h

44.7km

320m

Moderate

4.6

182

Nature trail Hoge Kempen short - Limburg

00:57h

8.19km

80m

Moderate

4.3

145

Route from Bilzen - Limburg

01:03h

9.20km

90m

Hard

4.5

History in the rolling forests of Limburg - 10 trail runs in Limburg

02:04h

17.1km

230m

Hard

4.0

National Park Trail: Mechelse Heide and Terhills Loop

02:27h

21.6km

210m

Hard

4.3

Caves, cave houses and the Geul – 10 trail runs in Limburg

02:05h

18.1km

190m

Moderate

Man-made mining landscapes (brief) - Limburg

01:16h

11.1km

110m

Hard

5.0

Breathing in South Limburg - Hiking through the hills

04:13h

35.9km

470m

Hard

Heath, suspension bridges and highlights - 10 trail runs in Limburg

02:28h

21.4km

280m

Moderate

4.0

Hasselt City and Prinsbeemden Trail

01:20h

12.4km

40m

De Maten Nature Reserve – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Natuurreservaat De Maten

Slagmolen Watermill Genk

Pond and bench in De Maten Nature Reserve

Homeles Pond

De Maten Nature Reserve

De Maten Nature Reserve

Sunrise over the ponds at Natuurreservaat De Maten

De Maten Nature Reserve

Bridge

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️