The different faces of the Lage Kempen

With this route you take a tour through the natural environment of the Lage Kempen in the northern part of Belgian Limburg. The Kempen is a region with sandy soil. Until the mid-nineteenth century, this soil was mainly covered with heath, oaks, fens and bogs. You can still find this varied landscape, albeit on a smaller scale. You will soon cycle through the Pijnven, a former heathland and drifting sand area that was planted with coniferous wood for the production of mining wood from 1904 onwards. In many places you can smell the purifying pine scent. In recent years, deciduous trees have also been planted in parts of the forest. Birds such as the long-eared owl and nightjar live in the forest. Some parts of the forest are not accessible because they have been declared a rest area for animals. Het Pijnven is located in the heart of a larger forest complex, called Bosland. This area of 4,500 hectares is one of the largest forests in Belgium. North of the old village of Wijchmaal you enter the Dommel Valley, a protected landscape consisting of fields with hedgerows, alder forests, poplar plantations and hay fields. The Wedelse Molen watermill is located on the river. According to some sources, the mill already existed in the 8th century, which would mean that it is the oldest water mill in the Benelux. The mill was in operation as a flour mill until 1957. Electricity has been generated using hydropower since 1980. In 1995, the mill, the locks and the bank reinforcement were given the status of a protected monument.