Pietersheim Water Castle (ruins) – Beech Avenue in Pietersembos loop from Lanaken
Pietersheim Water Castle (ruins) – Beech Avenue in Pietersembos loop from Lanaken
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Pietersheim Water Castle (ruins) – Beech Avenue in Pietersembos loop from Lanaken
03:06
12.0km
60m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 29, 2026
Tips
Temporary access restrictions
Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.
After 10.3 km for 85 m
Closed: • April-September, Monday-Sunday: 9:00 PM-8:00 AM • October, Monday-Sunday: 7:00 PM-8:00 AM • November-March, Monday-Sunday: 6:00 PM-8:00 AM (otherwise open)
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
533 m
Pietersheim Water Castle (ruins)
Highlight • Castle
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.09 km
Ancient Beeches and Oaks of Pietersembos
Highlight (Segment) • Forest
Alongside oaks, beeches are among the most important deciduous trees in central European forests, including here in the Pietersembos. They provide a habitat for up to 7,000 animal species, of which the majority (5,000) are insects, around 100 are vertebrates, i.e. birds and mammals, and the rest are single-celled organisms, worms, snails or spiders.
Beeches can live up to 300 years; in individual cases older specimens have also been found. Oak trees get even older. The robust trees can grow to be 400 to 700 years old, and a few thousand-year-old oaks are also known.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4.95 km
Beech Avenue in Pietersembos
Highlight (Segment) • Forest
Deutsches Wanderinstitut: "The tour fully exploits the landscape's potential and combines natural and cultural-historical elements to create a harmonious hiking experience. After starting at Pietersheim Palace and moated castle, it leads through the delightful light forests of the only Belgian national park. A contrast to these naturally developing ones Areas are old avenues hidden in the forest. The end of the tour is a beautifully designed leisure area with animal enclosures and refreshments. "
Details of the Hoge Kempen National Park about the tours:
nationaalparkhogekempen.be/sites/default/files/premium_3.pdf
Link to the German Hiking Institute:
wanderinstitut.de/premiumwege/belgien/pietersheim-bos-route
Our tour report with all photos and highlights:
komoot.de/tour/31216029
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5.30 km
Asbeek Stream in Pietersembos
Highlight • River
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8.37 km
Wooden Lounge Chairs by the Stream
Highlight • Rest Area
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8.39 km
Rest Benches by the Asbeek Stream
Highlight • Rest Area
You see these resting sofas popping up in many places. Beautiful and practical in dry weather. Now (autumn) wet and green and therefore anything but inviting. But it remains a beautiful spot.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
9.01 km
Fern Forest and Wooden Bridge on the Asbeek
Highlight (Segment) • Forest
The ferns of that time developed into trees that grew up to 30 meters high and together with tree-like lycopod plants and horsetails formed large forests.
Ferns are living fossils like the primeval redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) or the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba).
Translated by Google •
Tip by
9.75 km
Wooden Boardwalk Through Asbeek Wetlands
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
12.0 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
5.75 km
5.15 km
659 m
387 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
6.33 km
2.56 km
1.89 km
528 m
282 m
154 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Saturday 4 July
23°C
17°C
78 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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