ディーストのおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

This pedestrian bridge over the Zwart Water, an artificial drainage channel of the marshes in the Demer Valley, now connects the Flemish Brabant and Limburg parts of the Webbekoms Broek nature reserve. Thanks to the bridge, hikers can now complete a circuit of over nine kilometers straight through the Webbekoms Broek.

This observation tower is centrally located in the area between the inner and outer basins of the water catchment basin. It is a wooden structure with viewing holes to observe the surroundings. This is also possible from the platform at the top of the stairs. Several existing structures have also been incorporated into the observation towers. They are equipped with information panels about the fauna and flora in the Webbekoms Broek.

Anyone taking a walk through the Webbekoms Broek has undoubtedly come across them. Two herds of Konik horses have been roaming the nature reserve for quite some time. These herds graze the Broek year-round, thus ensuring a species-rich grassland.

This observation tower is centrally located in the area between the inner and outer basins of the water catchment basin. It is a wooden structure with viewing holes to observe the surroundings. This is also possible from the platform at the top of the stairs. Several existing structures have also been incorporated into the observation towers. They are equipped with information panels about the fauna and flora in the Webbekoms Broek.

Webbekoms Broek is part of the Webbekomsbroek-Borchbeemden Flemish Nature Reserve, a contiguous area of 397 hectares managed by the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests. This also includes the Diesters Broek, the Schaffens Broek, and the Borchbeemden: Rotbroek, Gorenbroek, and Sint-Jansberg. Several watercourses flow through the area. The most important of these is the Demer. The others are primarily its tributary, the Zwarte Beek, the Grote Leigracht, and the Leigracht. The Demer Valley has been plagued by floods for centuries. The most severe floods in recent history date back to 1998. There were also serious floods in Diest in 2008. To prevent severe water damage, retention basins and floodplains were installed. The Webbekoms Broek and its surroundings constitute a floodplain. In September 1998, a retention basin with a surface area of 144 hectares was put into operation in the Webbekoms Broek. The area can hold 3.5 million m³ of water. There is an inner basin and an outer basin. The inner basin is surrounded by dikes. The remainder forms the outer basin, which primarily functions as a nature reserve.

The former cornfield where you are standing was forested a few years ago. To the right of it stands one of the oldest high-stem orchards in Limburg. Both prehistoric and medieval finds were discovered in the immediate vicinity.

The side of the bridge is a bit damaged, but otherwise, everything is fine. Here, you can clearly see the rapid rise of beavers in the valley of the three streams on both sides. Dams, lodges, gnawed trees, and of course, high water are all around. The beaver is creating its ecosystem, from here to beyond Schaffen.

This one is still in good condition, even in wetter times.