Top 20 Lakes around Lille
Best lakes around Lille provide diverse natural settings for outdoor exploration. The area features various bodies of water, including fens, nature reserves, and former sand extraction pits. These locations offer opportunities for walking, enjoying nature, and observing wildlife. The landscape around these lakes often includes forests, wetlands, and open areas.
Best lakes around Lille
- The most popular lakes is The Zwart Water, a lake that is a unique fen with a dark bottom color due to peat. It features woods, gale thickets, and willow breeches, providing a resting and nesting place for birds.
- Another must-see spot is Warandeplas, an extensive body of water created as a sand extraction pit. It is a location for walking and cycling, with a designated zone where dogs can enter the water.
- Visitors also love Devil's Pit Pond, a 16-hectare nature reserve with varied landscapes. It includes dry and wet heathland, fens, and different forest types.
- Lille is known for its fens, nature reserves, and former sand extraction pits. The region offers a variety of lakes to explore, suitable for family-friendly and dog-friendly outings.
- The lakes around Lille are appreciated by the komoot community, with over 670 upvotes and 240 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: May 4, 2026
The Zwart Water
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Warandeplas
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Devil's Pit Pond
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Duivelskuil Pond
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Snepkens Pond
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The Snepkensvijver nature reserve borders the Kempense Heuvelrug and is therefore located in a landscape that was largely shaped by the winds during and after the last ice age. The name already indicates that it is a water feature, water that remains in the extinct dune pan and has formed a fen there. Due to the presence of water, the area has a strong attraction for birds. Originally it was a bird sanctuary, but over the years more and more attention has been paid to the special flora of the gradient between fen and ridge.
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Tips from the Community
Many captivating stories have been written about this well (not just any well). The first probably dates back to 1571, when Lieske Coolbonders committed suicide by drowning herself in the well while the devil himself was pursuing her. Lieske was the illegitimate daughter of Katrien Coolbonders, who was raped by a Spanish nobleman. The nobleman was murdered by Katrien's husband. The body was first dumped in the Devil's Well. Later, it was buried somewhere nearby. (Efkesweg.be)
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Fantastic walk...very well signposted and with varied scenery! The Magpie Heath in Beerse!
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Very beautiful fen, a beautiful view from all sides
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Beautiful place in Antwerp, beautiful heathland, does not always have to be Kalmthout (and certainly not on a Sunday, much quieter here)
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Here you can start various walks
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It is a beautiful untouched piece of nature where the untouchedness is slightly adjusted by human responsible interventions as it should be everywhere. Go and see!
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Fun to spin the wheel here and listen to the story around this mysterious pool...
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Het Zwart Water is a nature reserve southwest of the town of Lichtaart, which is part of the Antwerp municipality of Kasterlee, located near Lavendelweg 1-3. The area is managed by the Agency for Nature and Forests. The area is located on the Kempense Heuvelrug and consists of a fen that used to be in a drifting sand and heathland area, but was largely forested with conifers during the 19th century. On the edge of the fen you will find bog myrtle thickets, willow swamp forest and poor grassland. There is a floating dome in the fen that forms a safe resting place for birds. The forest is gradually being transformed into more mixed forest. In addition, there are remnants of heathland.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of natural features can I expect to see around the lakes near Lille?
The lakes around Lille offer diverse natural settings, including fens, nature reserves, and former sand extraction pits. You'll find landscapes with woods, wetlands, and open areas. For instance, The Zwart Water is a unique fen with a dark bottom due to peat, surrounded by woods and willow thickets, providing a resting place for birds. Devil's Pit Pond is a nature reserve featuring dry and wet heathland, fens, and various forest types.
Are there family-friendly lakes for outings near Lille?
Yes, several lakes around Lille are well-suited for family outings. Locations like Warandeplas and Devil's Pit Pond are categorized as family-friendly, offering pleasant environments for walks and enjoying nature together.
Which lakes are dog-friendly around Lille?
For dog owners, Warandeplas is a great option. It features a designated zone where dogs are allowed to enter the water, making it ideal for a refreshing stop during your walk or cycle.
What outdoor activities can I do near the lakes around Lille?
The area around Lille's lakes is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can enjoy walking, cycling, and mountain biking. There are dedicated guides for these sports, such as Gravel biking around Lille, Cycling around Lille, and MTB Trails around Lille, which feature routes passing by or near many of these beautiful water bodies.
Can I swim in the lakes near Lille?
While many lakes offer scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, swimming is generally prohibited in some, such as Warandeplas. However, water skiing is permitted there. Always check local regulations for specific lakes regarding water activities.
Are there any historical or cultural points of interest near the lakes?
Yes, some lakes have interesting historical backgrounds. For example, Devil's Pit Pond is popularly named after ancient pagan practices, and amateur archaeologists have found indications of prehistoric burial fields nearby. Duivelskuil Pond was once the site of a brickyard with clay pits.
Which lake is known for birdwatching?
The Zwart Water is an excellent spot for birdwatching. It features a floating platform that birds frequently use for resting and nesting, and there's a viewing hut to observe their activity. Snepkens Pond, one of Flanders' oldest nature reserves, is also a strong attraction for birds and was originally a bird sanctuary.
What makes The Zwart Water unique among the lakes?
The Zwart Water is unique because it's a fen with a dark bottom color, a result of peat development. This distinctive feature, along with its surrounding woods, gale thickets, and willow breeches, provides a special habitat for birds and a tranquil natural experience.
Are there any nature reserves among the lakes near Lille?
Yes, the region boasts several nature reserves. Devil's Pit Pond is a 16-hectare nature reserve with varied landscapes, including heathland and different forest types. Snepkens Pond is another significant nature reserve, recognized as one of the oldest in Flanders, known for its unique flora and as a bird sanctuary.
What kind of wildlife can be observed at Warandeplas?
Warandeplas is a great spot for observing waterfowl, especially during bird migration and the winter months. You might also regularly see water bats, sand martins, sandpipers, and viviparous lizards.
Are there opportunities for cycling around the lakes?
Absolutely. Lakes like Warandeplas are popular locations for cycling, with paths around the water. You can find various cycling routes in the area, detailed in guides such as Cycling around Lille, which include routes like the 'Den Haert Sand Path – The Zwart Water nature reserve loop'.
What is the best time to visit the lakes around Lille?
The lakes around Lille offer beauty throughout the year. Spring and summer are ideal for enjoying lush greenery and warmer weather for activities like walking and cycling. Autumn brings vibrant colors, while winter can offer peaceful, crisp walks, especially for birdwatching at spots like Warandeplas during bird migration.
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