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Natural Monuments

De Maten Nature Reserve

Natural Monuments

De Maten Nature Reserve

Highlight (Segment) • Natural

De Maten Nature Reserve

Recommended by 35 hikers out of 37

This Highlight goes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Natuurreservaat De Maten

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

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Best Hiking Routes to De Maten Nature Reserve

4.6

(54)

397

hikers

1. De Maten Nature Reserve – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Termien

6.29km

01:36

20m

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

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Easy

4.4

(21)

129

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2. Homeleswijer – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Nieuw-Termien

6.94km

01:46

20m

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

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Easy

4.4

(23)

114

hikers

3. De Maten Nature Reserve – Bokrijk Castle loop from Bokrijk

22.7km

05:48

90m

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

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Hard

Tips

July 23, 2024

The Maten, on the border of Enk and Diepenbeek, are part of a swampy zone that extends along the southwestern edge of the Kempen plateau and slopes slowly towards the Demer. It is an almost flat area with an area of approximately 300 hectares, in which - parallel to the Stiemerbeek - a series of dune crests occur.

During the last ice age, a sand layer was deposited over the Kempen by the prevailing northerly winds. These aeolian sands were later blown up into dunes by local drifts, so that the groundwater table came to the surface in the blown out holes. The moist depressions could easily develop into a peat and swamp area.

From the 15th century onwards, some 35 fish ponds (weyers) were gradually constructed in these peat and swamp areas along the Stiemer for the purpose of fish farming. The construction of a few dikes across the valley and the diversion of the stream via various branches and canals were sufficient for this. The relief did the rest. These weyers were not only used for fish farming for centuries. They were also part of a local agricultural system. The season after the pond was fished, grain crops were grown on the soil fertilized by the flowing stream water. Draining and cultivating the sandy soil ensured that no accumulation of organic material was created. This allowed the weyers to maintain their nutrient-poor nature and allowed a whole range of rare and/or specific plants and animals to continue to thrive. However, with the introduction of fertilizer, the need to use the enriched pond bottom disappeared. Fish farming became the only function of the approximately 60 hectares. water features.

The ponds were involved in the agricultural economy. The surrounding heathlands were communal grazing pastures for sheep and cows. The heath provided bedding and sod for the deep litter in which the necessary manure was produced to make the sandy fields fertile.

In the area there is an old, typical Kempen farm, surrounded by some fields and meadows, which is involved in management. Where the Slagmolen is now located, a fulling mill was built for the first time around 1523 by Hasselt weavers, which was rebuilt into an oil mill around 1612. The mill has been out of operation since 1955. There are beautiful views from the dune crests.

Immovable Heritage Inventory: De Maten, id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/135346

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Targi

June 2, 2024

De Maten is a protected landscape and nature reserve in the Limburg municipalities of Genk and Diepenbeek. The Stiemerbeek and the Heiweierbeek run through the area. The damming of the Stiemerbeek centuries ago created long chains of ponds in the stream valleys that were used for growing fish for consumption. The area, which measures 536 hectares, is European protected as a Natura 2000 area (habitat directive area BE2200028 and bird directive area BE2200626).

nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Maten_(Genk)

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An 🇧🇪

July 20, 2024

The name Maten is related to the English "meadows". The area is part of De Wijers, a pond complex on the transition from the Kempen Plateau to the Demer Valley. On the poor sandy soils of the Kempen, fish farming was a source of extra proteins. Already in the Middle Ages, series of ponds were constructed via simple transverse dikes in the valley. The overflow from one pond simultaneously forms the supply for the next pond. The Stiemerbeek valley was dammed several times for the ponds in De Maten. As fish farming became more intensive in the first half of the twentieth century, many ponds were given separate inlets and outlets. In De Maten you will find a mix of both systems. Water management is therefore a complicated part of the management of one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders.

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Details

Informations

Distance 739 m

Uphill 0 m

Downhill 0 m

Weather

Wednesday 17 December

13°C

7°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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

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De Maten Nature Reserve

1. De Maten Nature Reserve – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Termien

2. Homeleswijer – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Nieuw-Termien

3. De Maten Nature Reserve – Bokrijk Castle loop from Bokrijk

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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