Tenhaagdoornheide Nature Reserve

Nature reserve Ten Haagdoorn or Ten Haagdoornheide is a nature reserve in Houthalen-Helchteren that is often mentioned in the same breath as the Teut in Zonhoven, from which it is only separated by the E314 motorway. Many walks in Tenhaagdoornheide start at the Kelchterhoef and/or Hengelhoef domains. Like the area, they are seen as gateways to De Wijers. Ten Haagdoorn mainly consists of heathland, inland dunes and water features: fens and ponds, some of which were privately owned (in the brook valley of the Laambeek and Huttebeek) but which are now being further integrated in the context of the Blue Deal. Ten Haagdoorn is approximately 800 hectares in size. Together with the Teut, the area is 1700 hectares in size. There are various areas with grazers and part of the area is occupied by a golf course. Tenhaagdoornheide has two so-called star spots: one for the marshes - more about this at komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/5923564 - and one for the heath plains that you will find at the foot of the highest inland dune in the area and what you can read more about at komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/6054037

The area, which covers approximately 360 hectares, contains heathland, forests and drifting sands and is managed by the Agency for Nature and Forests. Tenhaagdoornheide is located on the Kempen Plateau and its height exceeds 75 meters. The source area of the Laambeek and the Huttebeek is located here. A swampy area was formed there, while in the past the water was used to irrigate some hay fields with the help of ditches, dikes and sluices. Nowadays the spotted orchid and the snipe can also be found here.

With a splash of water here and there...