Top 5 Natural Monuments in Natuurreservaat De Maten

The name Maten is related to the English "meadows". The area is part of De Wijers, a pond complex on the transition from the Kempens Plateau to the Demer Valley. On the poor sandy soils of the Kempen, fish farming was a source of extra protein. As early as the Middle Ages, series of ponds were created by means of simple cross-dikes in the valley. The overflow from one pond simultaneously forms the supply for the next pond. For the ponds in De Maten, the Stiemerbeek valley was dammed up several times. As fish farming became more intensive in the first half of the twentieth century, many ponds were given separate inlets and outlets. In De Maten, you will still find a mix of both systems. The water management is therefore a complex part of the management of one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders.

The Bumblebee in the De Maten nature reserve isn't just an animal or insect habitat, but a pond (étang), a water feature that forms part of the rich pond landscape in this beautiful nature reserve between Genk and Diepenbeek (Belgium). The Bumblebee is one of the many ponds in De Maten that together form the pond complex belonging to the De Wijers landscape (the land of 1001 ponds). This pond is located near waterways such as Schutwijer and Sint-Janswijer and is part of the hiking networks that run through the reserve. You'll encounter the Bumblebee when following routes that pass various ponds, such as the walks along Volmolenweg and the paths around the Slagmolen. These routes allow you to experience the character of De Maten and its variety of open water, reed beds, and wetlands that support a rich bird and plant life. The Bumblebee is located in the northeastern part of the reserve, not far from paths and other ponds that offer views of the water and nature. It's a lovely spot for quiet, bird song, and reflections in the water during your walk. Bring binoculars when walking around De Maten, as the ponds, including De Hommelaar, often attract waterfowl and other wildlife, especially early in the morning or at sunset.

Homeleswijer is one of the characteristic ponds (wijers/ponds) you'll encounter during walks through the De Maten nature reserve in the Belgian province of Limburg. It lies within the watery landscape of the reserve, which is part of the larger De Wijers pond area, a network of natural and man-made ponds that originated from centuries-old fish farming traditions in the region. In De Maten, the Stiemerbeek stream and its tributaries formed the basis for pond complexes containing water features like the Homeleswijer. Dams and overflows made fish farming possible, creating a unique marsh and pond landscape full of reed beds, open water, and wet grasslands. Walking trails through De Maten—ranging from short loops to longer hikes—run along and around these ponds. They are true natural treasures: herons, waterfowl, and typical marsh plants can be found here, and information boards often line the path explaining the ecology and water management. Many walks along the Homeleswijer are signposted and start, for example, at the Slagmolen in Genk or at other access points in De Maten.

De Maten Nature Reserve is one of the oldest and most valuable nature reserves in the province of Limburg (Belgium), on the border of the municipalities of Genk and Diepenbeek. The area covers hundreds of hectares of marshes, ponds, dunes, heathland, and ancient woodlands, forming a colorful, dynamic mosaic of natural landscapes—a place where water and land continually embrace each other. The name Maten is related to the English words "meadows," meaning grasslands and wet meadows, and that is precisely what you'll find here: an open, watery landscape shaped by ancient streams such as the Stiemerbeek and the Heiweierbeek. These streams have created dozens of ponds that once served as a breeding ground for fish—an important food source in the daily lives of medieval inhabitants. Ecologically, De Maten is a magnificent place. The reserve is part of the Natura 2000 network, a European protection system for important habitats and species, which helps ensure that rare plants and animals have a safe haven. Here, you're more likely to hear than see species like the bittern, the bittern, the reed bunting, and a wide variety of waterfowl, amphibians like the tree frog and the common spadefoot toad, and many more. The mix of open water, reed beds, wet heathland, and copses makes it a hotspot for birdwatchers, insect enthusiasts, and nature lovers in general. Nature is never silent, as management by Natuurpunt and other organizations constantly navigates between preserving open heathland and wet marshlands and encouraging natural processes. This is achieved through controlled mowing, the cyclical draining of ponds, and grazing with Galloway cattle, for example, to prevent shrub growth and stimulate biodiversity. Thanks to its unique landscape, De Maten offers not only tranquility and a natural experience but also many hiking opportunities. Various marked hiking trails range from short loops along ponds to longer hikes of almost ten kilometers that lead you through the heart of the reserve. Along the way, you'll pass reed beds, ponds, and viewpoints where you can feel and see the rhythm of nature change with the seasons. A silent witness to the area's long history is the Slagmolen (Slag Mill), a historic watermill dating from 1523, located midway between De Maten and the Stiemerbeek valley. This mill is currently being carefully restored and, starting in 2026, will serve as a visitor center with a café, information desk, and meeting space, as well as a new space for experiencing nature and culture together. The combination of unspoiled nature, cultural history, and active nature management makes De Maten Nature Reserve a fascinating destination for anyone who loves landscapes with a story. Whether you come for a refreshing walk, listening to birdsong at sunrise, or simply to pause and reflect on the quiet rhythms of the water and reeds, De Maten always has something to offer.

With a fascinating information board about the different types of birds that you can find in De Maten.

The Maten, on the border of Enk and Diepenbeek, are part of a swampy zone that extends along the southwestern edge of the Kempen plateau and slopes slowly towards the Demer. It is an almost flat area with an area of approximately 300 hectares, in which - parallel to the Stiemerbeek - a series of dune crests occur. During the last ice age, a sand layer was deposited over the Kempen by the prevailing northerly winds. These aeolian sands were later blown up into dunes by local drifts, so that the groundwater table came to the surface in the blown out holes. The moist depressions could easily develop into a peat and swamp area. From the 15th century onwards, some 35 fish ponds (weyers) were gradually constructed in these peat and swamp areas along the Stiemer for the purpose of fish farming. The construction of a few dikes across the valley and the diversion of the stream via various branches and canals were sufficient for this. The relief did the rest. These weyers were not only used for fish farming for centuries. They were also part of a local agricultural system. The season after the pond was fished, grain crops were grown on the soil fertilized by the flowing stream water. Draining and cultivating the sandy soil ensured that no accumulation of organic material was created. This allowed the weyers to maintain their nutrient-poor nature and allowed a whole range of rare and/or specific plants and animals to continue to thrive. However, with the introduction of fertilizer, the need to use the enriched pond bottom disappeared. Fish farming became the only function of the approximately 60 hectares. water features. The ponds were involved in the agricultural economy. The surrounding heathlands were communal grazing pastures for sheep and cows. The heath provided bedding and sod for the deep litter in which the necessary manure was produced to make the sandy fields fertile. In the area there is an old, typical Kempen farm, surrounded by some fields and meadows, which is involved in management. Where the Slagmolen is now located, a fulling mill was built for the first time around 1523 by Hasselt weavers, which was rebuilt into an oil mill around 1612. The mill has been out of operation since 1955. There are beautiful views from the dune crests. Immovable Heritage Inventory: De Maten, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/135346

In the Maten you will find a piece of authentic wine landscape with beautiful ponds, connected by heads and tails. It is the area par excellence for bird lovers, as the Wijers are a breeding area for numerous water and songbirds. The Augustijnenvijver is a stopping place for countless birds during bird migration. The routes connect Genk with Diepenbeek and guide you past the ponds of the Maten to the Diepenbekerbos.

The name Maten is related to the English "meadows". The area is part of De Wijers, a pond complex on the transition from the Kempen Plateau to the Demer valley. On the poor sandy soils of the Kempen, fish farming was a source of extra proteins. As early as the Middle Ages, series of ponds were constructed using simple cross dikes in the valley. The overflow from one pond simultaneously forms the supply for the next pond. For the ponds in De Maten, the Stiemerbeek valley was dammed several times. As fish farming became more intensive in the first half of the twentieth century, many ponds were given separate inlets and outlets. In De Maten, you can still find a mix of both systems. Water management is therefore a complicated part of the management of one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders.