Stage 4

Kelchterhoef > De Maten

From Kelchterhoef, you walk toward nature reserve ‘Ten Haagdoorn’, where rolling heathland hills—breathtakingly purple in late summer—lead you to the romantic Engelhof Castle in Hengelhoef.
Through the forests of Hengelhoef, you reach heathlands ‘Teut’ and ‘Molenheide’ in Zonhoven, once a reindeer hunters' camp. The prehistoric Holsteen—a polishing stone for axes—is a lasting reminder of this ancient history.

Through forests and heathlands, you continue to the Schemmersberg, with its dunes and abandoned sand quarry. The journey then takes you past the old mining cité of Winterslag and C-mine, where you can delve into the mining heritage. The Stiemerbeek, one of the streams feeding De Wijers' ponds, guides you to the De Maten nature reserve near the historic Slagmolen.

Do you want to return to the starting point in Kelchterhoef by public transport?
Walk to Genk station (or take bus 12 at the Genk Brug stop) and at Genk station take bus 31 towards Beringen Bogaersveld to the Houthalen Kelchterhoef stop.

View the walking network Download GPX Stage 4

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