Lommel Sahara

The Lommel Sahara is a sand and dune landscape with a size of 193 hectares in the Belgian municipality of Lommel. In the middle there is a lake and all around you will find coniferous forests. This landscape belongs to the forest area Bosland. The Lommel Sahara is located in the immediate vicinity of the Kempen Canal, over which the pedestrian bridge forms a gateway to this sandy area. The area is protected in Europe as part of the Natura 2000 area. This nature reserve with many opportunities for walking and cycling was created by human activities. For example, the lake was created by sand extraction between 1920 and 1925 and the evaporation of the former zinc factory of Lommel-Werkplaatsen caused all green vegetation to disappear between 1902 and 1940. The result was 350 hectares of arid landscape covered with white sand. The Lommel Sahara was declared one of the "Most Beautiful Places in Flanders" in 2005

Wonderful to take a dip or to linger

stopping place for cyclists with a view of the Lommel Sahara