Herk Valley Along the Grote Beemd

Piece of Hhervallei on the Grote Beemd that you must have seen. Wide winding with clear water. Beautiful play of light in the sun, banks overgrown with Groot Hoefblad in spring...

De Grote Beemd (also known as De Herkvallei) is a nature reserve near Russelt and directly north of Wellen.
The area is located in the Herk valley, and was previously used as a hayfield. After haymaking, the area was used as a communal pasture: cows were allowed to graze there. In later years, poplars were planted there.
The marshy area was acquired by Limburgs Landschap vzw and an attempt is being made to turn it into a small-scale cultural landscape again through targeted management. The nutrient-poor hayfields, with large rattle, bulbous saxifrage and spotted orchid are being restored to their former glory. There are also hawthorn hedges and swamp forests.
The Graetmolen is also located here on the Herk.