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Belgium

Flanders

South Limburg

Hasselt

Heusden-Zolder

Heathland restoration area

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Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

South Limburg

Hasselt

Heusden-Zolder

Heathland restoration area

Recommended by 109 hikers out of 112

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Location: Heusden-Zolder, Hasselt, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Heathland restoration area

4.4

(111)

740

hikers

1. Hamel Pond – Hermitage of Bolderberg loop from Stokrooie

11.5km

02:58

60m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.4

(77)

591

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2. Galgenberg Forest – panoramic view loop from Zolder

12.5km

03:14

70m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.7

(87)

717

hikers

3. Galgenberg Forest – panoramic view loop from Stokrooie

8.27km

02:11

80m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Dominiek Van Dooren

January 3, 2025

Once upon a time, a large part of Limburg was covered with heathland vegetation. This landscape was created by a centuries-old agricultural culture. People lived as small farmers in valleys, near water, hayfields and fertile soil. They cleared parts of forest to make fields. Once the fertile forest soil was exhausted, people needed manure. This was made by pruning old heather bushes on the ‘poorer’ and ‘less fertile soils’. This was placed in the stables as litter and mixed with manure. This formed compost. Pruning the heather bushes then produced more heather blossom. And the honeybees profited from this. And so every farmer was a beekeeper, arable farmer and cattle breeder, but all on a small scale.

Due to the years of impoverishment of the heathland, it was relatively easy to restore the heathland here, with the desired species as a result.

(Limburgs Landschap vzw)

Translated by Google •

Katrien

February 26, 2022

Because our current agricultural system has been thoroughly changed after WWII, including by artificial fertilizers, maintaining the heathland is no longer so obvious. While it used to be a way of providing for a living, it has now become specialized work for nature managers. Otherwise, the heathland will become forest again.

After all, the spontaneous growth of trees occurs quickly. By mowing the heathland on a small scale and removing the sods (cutting off the top layer of soil), it rejuvenates again. In addition to the heather, you will also find sheep's sorrel and special mosses here, such as fringe moss, bronze moss and heath claw moss. Lichens too: these are not really mosses, but a form of cohabitation between a fungus and an algae. They grow in open spaces where they are not crowded out by other plants. Viviparous lizards and various dragonflies also enjoy the Bolderbergse heathland.

Source: Folder-gebied-Bolderberg-en-gebied-Waterlozen.pdf

Translated by Google •

January 4, 2025

In a reasonable part of the Bolderberg nature reserve, heathland restoration yielded results quite quickly for the simple reason that there were still remnants of heathland. The Gust Claesheide mentioned elsewhere is an example of this, see komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/5387893

Elsewhere, heathland restoration requires quite a bit of work if one wants to avoid the heathland being replaced by trees. In some areas, this is known to be extra difficult. It was therefore recently suggested that some areas where heathland restoration is being carried out should be turned back into forest with great effort. A controversial proposal. Heathland ensures greater biodiversity. Sound heathland management can improve the carbon storage of dry heathland, as research shows uva.nl/content/nieuws/nieuwsberichten/2024/04/heidebeheer-kan-koolstofopslag-droge-hei-verbeteren.html?cb

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 70 m

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Friday 19 September

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Take Me There

Location: Heusden-Zolder, Hasselt, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

Heathland restoration area

1. Hamel Pond – Hermitage of Bolderberg loop from Stokrooie

2. Galgenberg Forest – panoramic view loop from Zolder

3. Galgenberg Forest – panoramic view loop from Stokrooie

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