The sand pit is a former sand quarry that was created during the extraction of sand and production of wet sand. Wet sand was used to make sand asphalt. This was used to construct pavements such as driveways and playgrounds at schools. The quarry was operated from 1961 to the early 1970s.

This immediately explains the name of the street that gives access to the walking area, the Wetzandstraat.

Drifting plains with sand sedge and bunt grass have a place on the abandoned parts of the sand quarry.

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March 17, 2026

Hiking

The Schemmersberg nature reserve is located between Genk and Zonhoven, on the western edge of the Kempen Plateau. The name Schemmersberg is derived from 'twilight', which means shadow or shade. Within this 40-hectare area, there is a large sand pit where sand was extracted for many years in the past for the production of wet sand. Heather still grows on and around the sand hill.

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Elevation 120 m

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Monday 30 March

12°C

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Location: Genk, Hasselt, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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