The 6 Most Amazing Peaks around Beringen

At the top of the small slag heap is a 360° viewing platform with explanations and directions in all directions of where you are looking.

Old unpaved footpaths are still common in the agricultural area between Halen and Loksbergen. The road layout has changed relatively little between the 17th century and the present. East of these roads lies the Betserbaan, which played a key role in the Battle of Halen. Of interest is this Kanoniersstraat, which is unpaved for its entire length between the Betserbaan and the Kauwplasstraat (1.6 km) and has a cart track as its base. Where this road crosses the summit of the Mettenberg, it cuts into the flanks, creating a sunken lane with wooded banks on the verge. These wooded banks belong to the category of "indigenous trees and shrubs," with the most common species being robinia, oak, and hawthorn. Historically, the Kanoniersstraat was the old connecting road between Halen and Leuven across the interfluve of the Ketelbeek and IJzerenbeek (demonstrable by a 17th-century tithe map). It has since lost its role as a connecting road. Kanoniersstraat has now been given a purely local role, allowing it to retain its authentic appearance as an old road. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Sunken Roads, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/300954

Hiking to the top of the slag heap does indeed require some effort, but you will be rewarded with beautiful panoramas of the surroundings. And along the way there are benches here and there where you can, if necessary, recover.

A sunken road is a road that is so deeply worn that it lies between two slopes. It is the result of centuries of use and erosion. The most beautiful sunken roads can be found especially in hilly areas with a subsoil that easily forms steep walls, such as in Haspengouw and Hageland.

A shady path...

The top of the Heusden-Zolder mine spoil tip was rewarded with no less than three landscape stars. The three-star spot is located at an altitude of 155 m above sea level. The top extends 85 meters above the surroundings. More about the Heusden-Zolder mine spoil tip and that top: https://www.visitlimburg.be/nl/wat-te-doen/mijnterril-heusden-zolder

Coal mining in Heusden-Zolder started in 1923 and lasted until 1992. The slag heap is made up of stones that were brought to the surface during coal mining. Over the years, the top has risen to 155m above sea level. Since 1997, it has been a Flemish nature reserve. Sheep are used for the nature management of the slag heap and the adjacent heathland. By grazing, they ensure a firm grass mat and prevent the growth of trees. This is necessary to prevent erosion. The slopes on the south side of the slag heap have their own microclimate, which is why many rare plant and animal species find their home here.

The slag heaps rise more than a hundred metres above the landscape and are therefore the ideal places to get an aerial view of the green, wooded Limburg. The view of the slag heap of Heusden-Zolder is so phenomenal that this spot has been awarded three landscape stars.