Hoge Kempen National Park

Hoge Kempen National Park is the only national park in the Flemish Region of Belgium, covering about 5,700 hectares in the province of Limburg around Genk, Maasmechelen and Lanaken. The landscape consists of heathland, pine forest, sandy dunes, ponds and former mining land, and it supports a mix of wildlife including deer, woodlarks and nightjars. Marked hiking and cycling routes run throughout the park, and visitors typically spend from half a day to a full day exploring. The main trailhead at Kattevennen near Genk has a visitor facility, a path network and a treetop walk with an observation tower that gives views above the pine canopy, and the Pietersheim area near Lanaken has a visitor centre. Walks range from short family loops to routes of 15 kilometres or more, and the park's many cycle junctions allow flexible routes. Late summer, around August and early September, is when the heather blooms and the heathland turns purple, which is the best moment for photography. Spring brings birdsong and fresh growth, and autumn offers coloured foliage and cooler walking. Entry to the park is free, though some attractions inside it charge small fees. Weekends in summer see families and cyclists in numbers around Kattevennen, while weekdays and early mornings are much quieter, and the far edges of the park are rarely busy. Visitors should bring water, a map or downloaded route, and sturdy shoes. A bus from Genk station reaches Kattevennen in about 20 minutes, and a car gives more flexibility.