Top 20 Lakes around Olen
Best lakes around Olen are situated within the Flemish region of Belgium, specifically in the province of Antwerp. This area features a landscape shaped by ancient dune formations and natural fens. The region offers diverse natural environments, including forests and wetlands, providing opportunities for outdoor exploration. These lakes are often part of nature reserves, showcasing unique flora and fauna.
Best lakes around Olen
- The most popular lakes is Devil's Pit Pond, a lake that is part of a varied 16-hectare nature reserve. It features dry and wet heathland, fens, and bog areas.
- Another must-see spot is The Zwart Water, a lake and natural monument. This fen, with its dark bottom color from peat, is surrounded by woods and offers a floating platform for birds.
- Visitors also love Warandeplas, a lake created from a sand extraction pit. It is a location for walking and cycling, and serves as a resting place for waterfowl during migration.
- Olen is known for fens, former sand extraction pits, and natural reserves. These areas provide varied natural environments for exploration.
- The lakes around Olen are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 600 upvotes and over 240 photos contributed by visitors.
Last updated: June 24, 2026
The Zwart Water
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Warandeplas
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Devil's Pit Pond
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Hertberg Ponds
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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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Good water quality is essential for biodiversity. Therefore, it is important that the nutrient-rich soil layer is not disturbed. The water then becomes cloudy and certain plants, such as algae, begin to proliferate. Algae consume a lot of oxygen at night, resulting in the animals in the pond having a difficult time. To protect this special biotope, passers-by must leave the water undisturbed. (Information board on site)
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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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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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With binoculars you can spot all kinds of animals here while sitting quietly on a couch
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With its 16 hectares, De Duivelskuil is a rather small but very varied nature reserve. It treats you to a characteristic Kempen landscape. In addition to dry heathland and wet heathland, you will also find some beautiful fens and a piece of bog bog. A moist alder-birch forest and a dry oak-birch forest and also a lot of Scots pine.
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In Snepkensvijver-Heiberg in Herentals, swamp, heathland and forest go hand in hand. The soil conditions provide typical vegetation such as peat moss, heath, small sundew, cranberry and peat fluff. The fragrant gale is also found en masse. In the drier areas, shrub heather is ubiquitous. Discover rare plant species here and completely relax. Source: https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebied/snepkensvijver-heiberg
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Many imaginative 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 a well when the devil himself chased her. Lieske was the bastard 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 near it. In 1695, a man from Reusel was said to have been hanged on a gallows on the Hoge Mouw and later buried in the Duivelskuil.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of natural landscapes can I expect to see around the lakes near Olen?
The region around Olen, located in the Flemish part of Belgium, features a diverse landscape shaped by ancient dune formations and natural fens. You'll find areas with dry and wet heathland, fens, bog areas, and various forests, including alder-birch and oak-birch. These areas are often part of nature reserves, home to unique flora and fauna.
Are there any lakes with historical or unique natural origins?
Yes, for example, Devil's Pit Pond is popularly named after 'devil's pits,' referring to ancient pagan practices or prehistoric burial fields found nearby. The Zwart Water, a natural monument, gets its name from its dark bottom color, which comes from peat that developed in the area after dune sand was blown away long ago.
Which lakes are suitable for families with children?
Several lakes around Olen are family-friendly. Devil's Pit Pond, The Zwart Water, Warandeplas, Snepkens Pond, and Heideven Kwarekken are all categorized as family-friendly, offering pleasant environments for walks and enjoying nature.
Can I bring my dog to the lakes?
Yes, Warandeplas is dog-friendly and even has a designated zone where your dog can freely enter the water. It's a great spot for walks with your canine companion.
What kind of activities can I do at Warandeplas?
Warandeplas is an excellent location for walking and cycling. While swimming is prohibited, water skiing is possible on the lake. It also serves as a resting place for waterfowl during migration, making it ideal for birdwatching.
Are there opportunities for birdwatching around the lakes?
Absolutely. The Zwart Water features a floating platform that birds use for resting and nesting, and a viewing hut allows for intense bird activity observation. Warandeplas is a significant resting place for waterfowl, especially during migration and winter months, where you might spot sand martins and sandpipers. Snepkens Pond, originally a bird sanctuary, also attracts many birds due to its water feature.
What are the best hiking options near the lakes around Olen?
You can find various hiking trails near the lakes. For instance, you can explore routes like the 'Forest Singletrack Trail loop from Olen' (8.07 km, moderate) or the 'Three-Eared Pot Fountain – Teunenberg Nature Reserve loop from Olen' (6.29 km, easy). More hiking options are available in the Hiking around Olen guide.
Are there cycling routes that pass by these lakes?
Yes, the area offers several cycling opportunities. For gravel biking, you could try the 'Warandeplas – Konijnenberg Sand Dune loop from Olen' (97.34 km, difficult). For road cycling, routes like the 'Bailey Bridge Mosselgoren – Ten Aard Mill loop from Olen' (47.07 km, easy) are available. Find more routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Olen and Gravel biking around Olen guides.
What makes Snepkens Pond a special place to visit?
Snepkens Pond is one of Flanders' oldest nature reserves. It's a fen formed in an extinct dune pan, attracting a rich variety of birds. The reserve is also recognized for its special flora, particularly in the gradient between the fen and the surrounding ridge, offering a beautiful blend of nature to relax and observe.
What is unique about Heideven Kwarekken?
Heideven Kwarekken is an idyllic fen nestled between the Grote Nete and the Asberg. It's a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the silence and sounds of nature. Visitors often enjoy sitting on the benches and observing the natural surroundings, including the unique contours of a teddy bear found in old beech trees.
What do visitors generally appreciate about the lakes around Olen?
Visitors highly appreciate the diverse natural environments, including forests and wetlands, that these lakes offer for outdoor exploration. The komoot community has contributed over 600 upvotes and more than 240 photos, highlighting the beauty and tranquility of these nature reserves and their unique flora and fauna.
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