마스‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪6‬개의 천연기념물

알베르 운하와 마스 강 사이에 있는 티에르 드 카스터와 몽타뉴 생 피에르 유적지 기슭에 위치한 이 지역은 독특한 자연 공간을 형성합니다. 이 지역은 석회암 초원, 난초, 박쥐로 가득 찬 동굴, 습지 등 주목할 만한 자연 유산을 숨기고 있습니다.

The Castle Cave is a unique place where history, architecture, and nature converge. Often located near or beneath a castle, such as in South Limburg or other historic regions, a castle cave served various purposes: from storing wine or provisions to sheltering or serving as a decorative garden feature within the castle grounds' landscaping. The cave is usually situated in a wooded area or on a slope, where natural rock formations and limestone structures create an impressive backdrop. Winding paths, hills, and viewpoints often surround the cave, making it a haven for hikers and a haven of discovery.

Bird observation point

Here you can see the central part (the lake) of the nature reserve from above. The Lanaye spawning grounds were created at the end of the 1980s to compensate for the disappearance of the Petit-Gravier spawning grounds during an extension of the lock complex. A new hiking trail was also constructed here at the beginning of 2024, where sustainable tourism and nature conservation should go hand in hand. As far as I'm concerned, it's already a success.

There are two bird watching walls here. One of them has an attached bird hide that is largely open but does have benches and other things that you are familiar with from other bird hides. The water you are looking over is a fairly recent nature reserve (several decades), the spawning grounds of Lanaye. The two bird watching walls ("regular" and larger unit with semi-open hut) are close to each other at the end of a path BUT are also at different heights and that makes it extra interesting. There is an explanation about the birds that come here and anyway you will see all kinds of things, at least swans, herons and cormorants. However, for those with decent equipment, there is much more to see here. For example, an osprey passes by. True nature lovers with good equipment can undoubtedly spend half a day here and return home with a pack of beautiful nature photos. For me it is a must to stop here and enjoy the core of this nature reserve. If you want you can still go next to the wall, but that is not only dangerous but also disturbing for the animals and therefore the chances that this will become a refuge for more and more species. Highly recommended and much more than a hut.

The Lanaye spawning grounds are a nature reserve that was created at the end of the 1980s to compensate for the disappearance of the Petit-Gravier spawning grounds during an extension of the lock complex. A new hiking trail was also constructed here at the beginning of 2024, where sustainable tourism and nature conservation should go hand in hand. As far as I'm concerned, it's already a success.

Here you will find two open viewing platforms with a series of information boards that tell you about the animals that you can find in this nature reserve that was created as compensation. The water, now a nature reserve, dates from 1989, and was constructed to compensate for the expansion of the locks. Successfully. Flora and fauna are doing well and it is nicely decorated. From dragonflies and damselflies to fish, shellfish (e.g. freshwater mussels) to beavers and birds: they are all discussed on the information boards. The water is not a lagoon, after all, it is a beach lake and the sea has not been here for a long time. Can't see enough yet? Then walk to the viewing walls that you will find further and higher. On the other side there is a beautiful lookout path over the Maas.

There is no shortage of water and beautiful views...