マースの絶景の山頂・トップ5

Highest point in the forest... A steep descent is coming now...

Unless it is very slippery, I prefer to walk just next to it, with much less strenuous and more natural steps.

The ascent of the Citadelle de Namur via the route merveilleuse is a beautiful one to do over the small cobblestones with the hairpin bends. A beautiful view awaits you at the top. It can be busy there.

Climb to the old fortress with beautiful views over the city and the river

NB, The much-mentioned “Hidden Valley” is a forbidden area. The organization that designed the Dutch Mountain Trail never asked permission from the Dutch and Belgian landowners. You walk through vulnerable forest reserves and Nature 2000 areas. It could be a very expensive expedition if you meet a Forest Ranger. It's a shame that Dutch Mountain Trail does not take the outdoor code seriously. It is a beautiful but very vulnerable area. Natuur Monumenten has placed a sign when you enter their area. Follow that indication and you will reach the top of the Observant via legal paths. From then on, the Dutch Mountain Trail runs on regular paths.

The last meters to the top of D'N Observant.

If you cycle up to the citadel, you have a wonderful view of the river from some points. The ascent is no problem with the Ebike.

The view from D'n Observant with its star-shaped viewing platform and highest point of +170.8 m NAP is absolutely amazing. Here you can definitely feel like you are really in the mountains. When we went this week we certainly had no problems looking in all directions without the slightest obstruction. Depending on where you come from there are also beautiful views during your climb/descent. You can see the Maas valley, the ENCI quarry, the Jeker valley and the point where the Albert Canal and Maas meet. The vegetation on the way here in the spring is also very beautiful. Although it may feel like it, the hill is not natural. It was constructed with top soil from the quarry mentioned. On top of the limestone there was a top layer of 15 meters on average that was unusable and between 1939 and 1967 D'n Observant was planted with trees and shrubs to prevent the landfill from sliding and washing away. Today it is a very popular destination for hikers, runners and mountain bikers. It is also doable for the less experienced hiker and the effort is certainly rewarded by the view. Source about the construction and the hill itself: https://www.enci-gebied.nl/recreatie/dn-observant Under d'n Observant lies a largely collapsed limestone quarry, the Zuidelijk Gangenstelsel; the support pillars have given way due to the weight of the raised soil. An underground smuggling route from the Netherlands to Belgium once ran here. More: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27n_Observant