The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Albert Canal

The cycle path through the water leads cyclists over a 212-meter-long and three-meter-wide concrete path, with water at eye level on both sides. Swans and other waterfowl swim along the banks, curiously watching the cyclists. Since its opening, interest in this unique cycle path has been enormous. On average, 800 visitors per day explore this unforgettable part of the Limburg cycle network, with peaks on Saturdays and Sundays, and on some days even up to 5,000 cyclists.

The heath landscape is a remnant of a historical, extensive agricultural ecosystem. Of the area of heath that existed around 1850, about 5 percent remained at the end of the twentieth century. The remaining heathlands are now nature reserves or are used as military training grounds. Today, heath is scarce in Flanders and still covers 0.6 to 1 percent of the total area: about 7,700 to 13,000 hectares. Nevertheless, the heath landscape is of great importance for the preservation of biodiversity: 13% of the most endangered animal and plant species in Flanders can be found in the heath landscape.

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.

Ornithology or bird science is a specialization of zoology that deals with the study of birds. It includes the classification of species and observation of behavior, migration, song, and flight patterns. Birds are ringed, among other things, to learn more about their migratory behavior and age. An ornithologist is a practitioner of ornithology. A hobby ornithologist is a birdwatcher.

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.

Bokrijklaan has been the main entrance to the Bokrijk estate for centuries. This avenue connects the surrounding landscape with the castle and the estate and was deliberately designed as a straight line and connecting axis typical of historic estates. Those who walk or cycle here are essentially following in the footsteps of generations of visitors, residents, and workers who entered the estate via this route. The avenue is characterized by rows of trees on both sides, which not only give structure to the landscape but also provide shelter and rhythm. Throughout the seasons, the character of Bokrijklaan changes: fresh green in spring, cool and shady in summer, warm colors in autumn, and understated yet powerful in winter.

From Bokrijklaan you can not only reach the open-air museum, but also the starting point of the cycling and hiking trails into the De Wijers nature reserve, where the famous section “Fietsen door het Water” is located.

The best time is somewhere between the end of July and mid-August, when the heath is at its most beautiful.