Back to the Ice Age in the Dune Belt

The rolling Belgian province of Limburg offers a special piece of nature just across the border with the Netherlands. Find your way through the forests around Opglabbeek and enjoy the beautiful nature around you. Take the Gruitroderbos, for example, where 660 hectares remain of the Duinengordel nature reserve, which belonged to the much larger Gruitroderheide. The dunes in the area were formed during the Ice Age, approximately 10,000 years before Christ. The forest, which was planted in the first half of the twentieth century, is located on the Kempens Plateau, approximately 70 meters high. The pine forests were planted for timber production; they had to supply mine timber to the coal mines in the area. Between the coniferous forests are small areas of original heathland and drifting sand areas. Since 2008, these types of nature areas have been expanded and an elongated strip of coniferous forest has been cleared to give the heathland and dunes more space. The biodiversity is a hidden gem on the Kempens Plateau due to the dune landscape. The area is home to rare animals: the forest stream damselfly, the palmate newt, the forest cricket, the grey shrike, the green sand tiger beetle, the common blue and the red wood ant have found their home here. Birds of prey skim over the treetops: the presence of buzzards, hawks and honey buzzards is the rule rather than the exception. You might also encounter the smooth snake, which has strayed from the fens in the Dune Belt in search of prey. At the start and end point of the cycle tour, where you can park your car for free, there is a beautifully renovated farm. This Orshof can be rented, so that you can stay there and enjoy a wonderful weekend away. If you do not wish to stay, you are of course welcome at the end of the cycle tour in the atmospheric orangery-brasserie or on the terrace, to enjoy a snack or a drink.