View of the Zwarte Beek Valley – Kuitenbijter Trail loop from Zelem

Hiking trails & Routes

View of the Zwarte Beek Valley – Kuitenbijter Trail loop from Zelem

Easy

4.6

(9)

hikers

View of the Zwarte Beek Valley – Kuitenbijter Trail loop from Zelem

01:41

6.45km

40m

Hiking

Easy hike. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 16, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Natuurreservaat Zwarte Beek - Bakel

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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1.36 km

Iron Sandstone Blocks in Natuurreservaat Zwarte Beek - Bakel

Highlight • Natural Monument

The iron sandstone construction in the photo looks like a small dolmen, but of course it is not. At this spot you will find some beautiful iron sandstone blocks placed in a small parking lot just behind the Zwarte Beek. And with some of them people have been a bit more creative. Iron sandstone, so important in the witness hills and old buildings such as churches around here (and in the Hageland, Heuvelland, Pajottenland and the Flemish Ardennes). Just next to it you will find the poem "Ferro" by Stijn Meuris and on the other side of the road, before you enter the walking paths, is a fruit orchard and a piece of heathland belonging to Natuurpunt (with benches and the like). Just walking past here means missing a lot (for enthusiasts).

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1.82 km

Small Pond at the Forest Edge

Highlight • Lake

Small pool, take a look in the wet grasslands nearby (but watch out for the stream and the swampy parts where you suddenly get soaked feet). This place is located along one of the hiking trails from Zelem, but I also hiked there from Schaffen, so you're spoiled for choice.

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2.42 km

View of the Zwarte Beek Valley

Highlight • Viewpoint

Views everywhere here. Tip: also cross the road from Diest for even more views between Vleugt and Schaffen.

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3.50 km

Bench in the Forest

Highlight • Rest Area

Peace and beautiful view...

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3.79 km

Chapel of Our Lady of Assistance

Highlight • Religious Site

On top of the hill, between the heath and forests of Hees, there is a grass area surrounded by some small accommodations and some houses. You will also find this chapel that would have been built as a promise at (the outbreak of) the Second World War as stated on the sign. Whatever the case: the chapel is there, on the edge of this somewhat strange place that you find after your nature walk.

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4.20 km

Kuitenbijter Trail

Highlight • Trail

Even on foot it's a bit of a struggle...

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4.39 km

Picnic Area with Table

Highlight • Rest Area

With a view of the cows...

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4.70 km

Black Brook

Highlight • River

The Zwarte Beek rises in Hechtel-Eksel and then flows through Beringen to Lummen. There the Helderbeek and the Halbeek flow from Heusden-Zolder into the Zwarte Beek.
In Halen she squeezes further between the witness hills and finally disappears into the Demer in Diest.

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