Het Wik is a nature reserve east of the Provincial Domain Bokrijk and is part of the pond area that we know as De Wijers. There are many places where you can be along this area of more than 100 hectares with 19 ponds, such as here (during a walk from Zonhoven towards the Bokrijk arboretum).

Het Wik was part of the Bokrijk area as it was sold in the thirteenth century by the then Count of Loon to the Herkenrode Abbey. Most ponds were then created for fish farming, others later by iron ore mining.

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An 🇧🇪

July 7, 2024

Hiking

The area has a great variety. There are ponds constructed in a cascade with monks (mini lock in the shape of a monk's hood), canals and ditches that allow water to flow from a higher pond to a lower one. Alder forests, peaty birch forests, gale thickets and reed land also occur. More than 80 bird species breed here, including the hawk, honey buzzard, black woodpecker, woodcock and whistler, which find their place in the wooded area of the ponds.

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April 27, 2025

Hiking

Update: there is a nice little nature trail between two of the ponds. Yellow iris, lots of croaking at the right time, water birds (spotted a bittern), in short: just do it. There is no bird hide and branches can obstruct the view of those who want to look a bit further, but it is definitely worth it. The path ends at a forest path along the previously mentioned Zusterkloosterbeek.

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Routes here

Best Hikes to Het Wik Nature Reserve

4.4

(23)

114

hikers

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

22.7km

05:49

90m

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

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Hard

4.4

(22)

110

hikers

2. De Maten Nature Reserve – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Genk

24.3km

06:13

100m

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

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Hard

4.8

(5)

hikers

3. Between the ponds – Bench with a view loop from Wolske

28.0km

07:07

70m

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

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Hard

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Informations

Elevation 100 m

Weather

Tuesday 27 January

7°C

1°C

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

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Het Wik Nature Reserve

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

2. De Maten Nature Reserve – De Maten Nature Reserve loop from Genk

3. Between the ponds – Bench with a view loop from Wolske

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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