Lommelse Sahara Dune Trail

The Lommelse Sahara, at 3920 Lommel in Limburg, is a heath and drifting sand dune landscape in the Kempen region of the Flemish Region of Belgium. Its open horizons, sandy paths and scattered pines give it a desert-like appearance that has earned the Sahara nickname. The area is reached by train to Neerpelt or Mol and then by bus, though a car or bike is considerably easier because public transport links to the dunes are limited. Parking is available near the starting points, and the public trails do not require a permit.

Marked loops cover roughly 3 to 8 km and take between one and two and a half hours. The terrain consists of sandy dunes with little elevation change, so total ascent is negligible, but walking in loose sand is tiring and slows progress. Surfaces range from soft sand to firmer forest tracks, and the open dunes offer very little shade. Sun and wind exposure is high in summer, and sand surfaces can become hot, so the walk suits cooler mornings and evenings in the warmest months.

Landmarks include the open sand dunes, patches of heath, scattered pines and small pools that interrupt the sandy landscape. Visitors often walk out onto the dunes for views across the open terrain, then loop back through pine woods for shade, and a sensible turn-around point on a short walk is the first major dune crest. The contrast between sand, heather and trees makes the area distinctive within the Kempen, and photographs are popular around sunrise and sunset when the light is low.

There are no huts or refuges, and drinking water is not available on the trails, so visitors should bring their own supplies. Sun protection, a hat and sturdy walking shoes are advisable, and shoes that keep sand out are helpful. Visitors are asked to stay on marked paths to protect the fragile dune vegetation and ground-nesting birds, and to keep dogs on a leash.