National Park Trail
Genk, Flanders, Belgium
Hiking route: 3584796
Provided by: Tourist Info
109.0 km
27:15 h
6199 kcal
119 m
Description
The National Park Trail is a long-distance walk of 110 km, which shows you the most beautiful places in the Hoge Kempen National Park. The National Park Trail has many surprises in store: Seven climbs, vast moors, beautiful fens, wide ponds, dunes and fragrant forests. It is one of the few walks in Flanders where you see little buildings and/or traffic for more than 100 km.
The National Park Trail is freely accessible from June 2022. Then you can walk the 110 km as you wish; you determine the number of stages, the direction, the start, and the number of kilometers. You can choose to walk the full loop of 110 km or shorter variants.
You can walk the National Park Trail in 3 ways:
*By Map: An exclusive National Park topographical map guides you along the National Park Trail. You can buy the card here for 10€.
*Signage: The entire trail is signposted in two directions. You simply follow these signs to complete the 110km loop.
*GPS/GPX: With the gpx file on your hiking GPS or your smartphone
The five basic stages
Do you really want to see all the highlights of the Hoge Kempen National Park? Then of course you have to do the entire walking loop / trail of 110 km. We recommend splitting it up into 4 or 5 days. We have already worked out the ideal stages for you. Each stage starts and ends at a gateway to the Hoge Kempen National Park where all facilities are provided: ample parking, information boards, toilets and catering. Both around the entrance gates and on the way on the trail there are always accommodations nearby to spend the night. There is something for everyone: hotels, campsites, B&Bs, holiday parks, pole camping, holiday homes and more. Something for everyone.
Approach route: GENK - KATTEVENNEN station (3.8 km)
Via the Molenvijverpark and the forest you will quickly reach Kattevennen, the official starting point of the National Park Trail.
Stage 1: KATEVENNEN - PIETERSHEIM (23.8 km)
You mainly walk through vast forests on the southernmost foothills of the Kempens Plateau. The Papendaal heath and lake provide variety.
Stage 2: PIETERSHEIM - TERHILLS (23.9 km)
You walk from south to north over the edge of the Kempens Plateau, and get to know the heathland and the Ziepbeek valley. On the Mechelse heide you can enjoy views and the first hills.
Stage 3: TERHILLS - DUNES BELT (22.6 km)
Like the previous stage, it runs from south to north over the edge of the Kempens Plateau. You start with three climbs and go through the Dilserbos to Bergerven and the Bosbeek.
Stage 4: DUNES BELT - THORPARK (26.8 km)
You start with a series of inland dunes and fens. You then trek through heathland and forest to the mining slag heaps of Thorpark for beautiful views.
Stage 5: THORPARK - KATEVENNEN (11 km)
Via the Stiemerbeek valley and forest area you will return to Kattevennen.
The National Park Trail is freely accessible from June 2022. Then you can walk the 110 km as you wish; you determine the number of stages, the direction, the start, and the number of kilometers. You can choose to walk the full loop of 110 km or shorter variants.
You can walk the National Park Trail in 3 ways:
*By Map: An exclusive National Park topographical map guides you along the National Park Trail. You can buy the card here for 10€.
*Signage: The entire trail is signposted in two directions. You simply follow these signs to complete the 110km loop.
*GPS/GPX: With the gpx file on your hiking GPS or your smartphone
The five basic stages
Do you really want to see all the highlights of the Hoge Kempen National Park? Then of course you have to do the entire walking loop / trail of 110 km. We recommend splitting it up into 4 or 5 days. We have already worked out the ideal stages for you. Each stage starts and ends at a gateway to the Hoge Kempen National Park where all facilities are provided: ample parking, information boards, toilets and catering. Both around the entrance gates and on the way on the trail there are always accommodations nearby to spend the night. There is something for everyone: hotels, campsites, B&Bs, holiday parks, pole camping, holiday homes and more. Something for everyone.
Approach route: GENK - KATTEVENNEN station (3.8 km)
Via the Molenvijverpark and the forest you will quickly reach Kattevennen, the official starting point of the National Park Trail.
Stage 1: KATEVENNEN - PIETERSHEIM (23.8 km)
You mainly walk through vast forests on the southernmost foothills of the Kempens Plateau. The Papendaal heath and lake provide variety.
Stage 2: PIETERSHEIM - TERHILLS (23.9 km)
You walk from south to north over the edge of the Kempens Plateau, and get to know the heathland and the Ziepbeek valley. On the Mechelse heide you can enjoy views and the first hills.
Stage 3: TERHILLS - DUNES BELT (22.6 km)
Like the previous stage, it runs from south to north over the edge of the Kempens Plateau. You start with three climbs and go through the Dilserbos to Bergerven and the Bosbeek.
Stage 4: DUNES BELT - THORPARK (26.8 km)
You start with a series of inland dunes and fens. You then trek through heathland and forest to the mining slag heaps of Thorpark for beautiful views.
Stage 5: THORPARK - KATEVENNEN (11 km)
Via the Stiemerbeek valley and forest area you will return to Kattevennen.
Height Profile
© CC BY lenswoman.claudia
© CC BY Miel Capals
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY Erwin Christis
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY De Kijkhut
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY Kevin Maes
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY Erwin Christis
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY Giulia Sebastiani
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY Erwin Christis
© CC BY RLKM
© CC BY Erwin Christis
© CC BY Erwin Christis
© CC BY Erwin Christis
Are you going out in Belgium? and can you use some extra information before you get on your bike or start your hike? Then pay a visit to one of the many Tourist Information points that you can find throughout Belgium. away. Then you can be well prepared with great tips from locals.
Directions
| # | Description | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3600, Genk, Flanders, Belgium | 0.00 km | ||
| 3600, Genk, Flanders, Belgium | 109.04 km |
Reviews
Read the experiences of others below. This way you find out what score the route has received and you can decide whether this route is for you. Have fun!
Embed this page </>
See Routiq in...
