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 woods around Opglabbeek and enjoy the beautiful nature around you. Take, for example, the Gruitroderbos, where 660 hectares remain of the Duinenbanden nature reserve, which belonged to the much larger Gruitroderheide. The dunes in the area originated in the Ice Age, approximately 10,000 years BC. The forest, which was created in the first half of the twentieth century, is located on the Kempen Plateau, approximately 70 meters high. The pine forests were planted for timber production; they had to supply mine wood to the coal mines in the area. Between the coniferous forests there are small pieces of original heathland and drifting sand areas. Since 2008, these areas of nature have been expanded and an elongated strip of coniferous forest has been cleared to give the heath and dunes more space. The dune landscape makes biodiversity a hidden gem on the Kempen Plateau. The area is home to rare animals: the wood damselfly, the pin-footed salamander, the wood cricket, the gray sandhawk, the green sand beetle, the common blue and the red wood ant have found their niche here. Birds of prey skim over the treetops: the presence of buzzard, hawk and honey buzzard is the rule rather than the exception. You may also come across the smooth snake, which has wandered 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 you can stay there and enjoy a wonderful weekend away. Anyone who does not wish to stay overnight is of course welcome at the end of the cycle tour in the attractive orangery-brasserie or on the terrace to enjoy a snack or a drink.