파크 메이시 최고의 워킹 & 하이킹 경로

bicycle and pedestrian bridge

Nice fen, Schaapsven is also worth it

Nice play area for children with equipment

Schaapsven and Zwartven opposite, nice

Very nice place for children to play, climbing equipment with water pump

Temporarily closed. Reopening in April 2026.

The Opglabbekerzavel Heide is a vast and unique nature reserve in the north of the Hoge Kempen National Park, on the border of Genk and Oudsbergen (formerly Opglabbeek). This landscape is characterized by open heathland, sandy plains, pine forests, and sparse grasslands that together form one of the most authentic heathland biotopes in Limburg. What makes the Opglabbekerzavel Heide so unique is the distinctly sandy subsoil, known locally as "zavel" (sand) – on which a mosaic of dry and wet heathland has developed. In summer, the area turns purple with flowering heather, while in other seasons, silver-gray grasses and low shrubs give the landscape a rugged, almost primeval appearance. This soil is poor in nutrients, but therefore ideal for rare plant species such as: • heather and bell heather • sundew • purple moor grass • juniper bushes 🐦 Habitat for special fauna The Opglabbekerzavel Heide is also of great ecological value. The area offers peace and quiet and food for numerous animal species, including: • woodlarks and skylarks • nightjars • sand lizards • deer and foxes • countless butterflies and dragonflies Thanks to its open character and the alternation of forest and heathland, it is an ideal area for biodiversity. Historically, the Opglabbekerzavel was part of extensive wastelands that were used for centuries as communal grazing land. In the 20th century, part of the area was occupied by military exercises and land reclamation, which temporarily put pressure on the natural environment. Later, the great ecological value of this heathland was recognized, and it was incorporated into the protected landscape of the Hoge Kempen National Park. Since then, active nature management has been implemented, including grazing and mowing, to keep the heathland open and healthy. Walking here will experience true serenity. The paths lead you past open plains where the wind blows freely, through fragrant pine forests, and along quiet sandy roads where only the rustling of grass and birdsong break the silence. It's a place where you feel like you've escaped time and bustle. The Opglabbekerzavel Heath is not only a beautiful nature reserve but also a living landscape that tells the story of centuries of use, change, and restoration—a quiet gem within the Hoge Kempen region, where nature and history go hand in hand. 🌾🌤️

From mid-August to mid-September, the heath is in full bloom. Vast heathlands then form a picturesque purple backdrop.