Lommel, Eksel, Heppen

Just across the border from Belgium in the province of Limburg, lies the Kempen town of Lommel, which celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1990. Several beautiful nature reserves are part of Lommel, which hide the town between beautiful forests with deciduous and coniferous trees or vast heathland plains, where various protected animal species live and special plants bloom in full glory. As you get closer to the town, the activity increases; With a trade center and the large De Singel shopping center, Lommel is the third shopping city in Belgian Limburg. More than thirty chapels are spread throughout the city and give it an authentic appearance. You can enjoy a terrace around the market square; With a wide range of restaurants and cafes, there is always something to suit your taste. Traditionally, a lot of silver sand has been extracted in the Lommel area for the glass industry. Some of these sand extraction quarries have been transformed over the years into beautiful nature reserves and beautiful recreational areas. Some examples are the Watering and De Lommelse Sahara. There are also a number of beautiful forests and extensive heathlands in the area. The picturesque Eksel is located on the edge of the Kempen Plateau. There are a number of beautiful nature reserves in the area, such as the Provincial Nature Center Pijnven, which extends over the territory of Eksel, Lommel and Overpelt. This area is approximately 1012 hectares and was previously used as an extraction area for wood. There is a nice museum where you can learn everything to do with the flora and fauna of the Kempen. You will also find the Gerheserbossen in the area. The extensive grounds were planted with pine trees around 1910 for mining timber production. Nowadays, wood production still plays a role, but the main effort is to preserve the natural character of the forests. Numerous birds breed in the area, including the nightjar, wood cricket, hawk and black woodpecker. The route starts at Profile Pauwels. Here you can have your bike checked, so that you can cycle your route safely without delay. With your bicycle discount pass you get a 10 euro discount on maintenance and repairs. This way you can get on your bike with peace of mind and fully enjoy the beautiful nature that this route has to offer.