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Riemst

Grootbos Forest

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Grootbos Forest

Recommended by 15 hikers

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    Best Hikes to Grootbos Forest

    4.4

    (10)

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    1. Wijnkasteel Genoels-Elderen – Demerpad Nature Trail loop from Rijkhoven

    23.2km

    06:05

    190m

    190m

    Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Expert

    Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Expert

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Easy

    Tips

    December 27, 2022

    "The Grootbos is an old deciduous forest that used to belong to the Genoel-Selderen castle and is located in the transition zone from humid to dry Haspengouw. In the Grootbos, on the edge, is the Sint-Jozefskapel, which was renovated by the Flemish Region. And spread throughout In the forest itself you can still find remnants of the so-called 'Kelderkes': twelve masonry wells that used to be connected to the castle pond by means of lead pipes and pushed the water in the fountains meters up due to the difference in height. Flemish Community purchased and opened to the public in 2001.

    The oak-hornbeam forest served as a hunting ground for the lords. The forest is on a steep slope that rises to about 135 meters to the northeast. Nature is allowed to take its course in the old deciduous forest area. The young hardwood plantations were planted after the purchase of the forest by the Flemish Region and are regularly thinned in order to obtain high-quality trees. The characteristic flora includes: wood anemone, wild daffodil, autumn crocus and whole herb. One problem is that the forest is completely enclosed by agricultural land.

    In the forest is a site of a Gallo-Roman villa, but you will hardly find anything of it anymore. Furthermore, when the forest served as a castle park, a tumulus (Gallo Roman burial mound) was recreated. The reason why the lords of the castle built this in the 18th century is unclear. This probably fitted in with the English park principles and, together with the then constructed lane, served as a visual axis from the castle."

    Source: natuurenbos.be/grootbos

    Translated by Google •

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      Elevation 150 m

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      Sunday 26 October

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      Location: Riemst, Tongeren, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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