The Wijerstrail of 110 km takes you for five days along the most beautiful places in the land of 1001 ponds: De Wijers.
Walk through water landscapes that are bustling with life, over vast heathland and through mysterious forests. Discover how nature, heritage and adventure come together in this varied landscape. And that in the heart of Limburg!
The Wijerstrail is the ideal trail for beginning long-distance hikers. Although it feels like a voyage of discovery through untouched nature, the route always remains close to inhabited areas. Help is therefore never far away! Along the way you will pass numerous hotspots, such as the Abbey of Herkenrode, Kelchterhoef or Bokrijk. But of course the water landscape of De Wijers is central: you walk along, through and even on the water.
Ready for your new hiking adventure?
Practical information
The Wijerstrail follows the junction network of De Wijers and is signposted (clockwise) with the Wijerstrail icon. So you can choose whether to use the icon or the junctions.
The route is divided into 5 convenient stages of 16 to 26 km, which you can each walk in one day. After 5 days you return to the starting point of the first day.
Signage
Follow the Wijerstrail-icon (only signposted clockwise) or use the nodes of the De Wijers walking network. Download the gpx per stage: that way you will never get lost!
Wijerstrail (clockwise)
Download node map
Download GPX
Route on wandelknooppunt.be (app code 8llxnx)
Route on Komoot (stage 1 - stage 2 - stage 3 - stage 4 - stage 5)
Full Wijerstrail (counterclockwise)
Download node map
Route on wandelknooppunt.be (app code enalar)
Would you rather set your own pace? You can! With the handy node network, you can choose how long you walk each day, whether you want to make a small extension or shortening and where you want to start. The choice is yours. The hike nodes offer you all the possibilities to map out your own stages.
Overnight staying
Book a walking arrangement or overnight stay with one of our Wijerstrail partners. They will welcome you with open arms and help you on your way. They provide many extras, such as luggage transport, transport to the starting point or a delicious packed lunch.
Or find accommodation yourself via visitlimburg.be.
Wild camping is not allowed in De Wijers.
Public transport
The Wijerstrail is accessible by public transport. A bus stops at the start and finish of each stage. Use the route planners of De Lijn (bus) or NMBS (train) to organise your journey. The name of the stop is indicated at each stage.
Car parking
By car? There is parking at each stage and entrance gate of De Wijers. You can find the addresses and GPS coordinates for each stage. Please note: at the starting point in Bokrijk you have to pay for parking between April and November. There is free parking at the other stage stops (Abdij van Herkenrode, ZLDR Luchtfabriek, Kelchterhoef and De Maten).
Foods and drinks
Although you are walking in nature, in De Wijers you are never far away from catering in a village centre or at an entrance gate. Discover our hospitable Wijerstrail partners, who will be happy to provide you with a snack or drink. A complete overview of all catering can be found on wandelinlimburg.be
Picnic areas
There are several benches and picnic areas along the way. Many Wijerstrail partners will provide you with a packed lunch to take with you on your day trip. You can find an overview of all the benches on the Wijerstrail map, for sale at the tourist offices of De Wijers or via wandelinlimburg.be
Bird watching
You walk through European top nature. Many nature reserves in De Wijers are protected Natura 2000 areas. They are teeming with life. Water and marsh birds, frogs, amphibians: you will certainly encounter them along the way. You might even hear the rare bittern or spot the small tree frog! In many observation huts and
viewpoints you can spot birds without disturbing them. The observation huts are indicated on the Wijerstrail map. So don't forget your binoculars!
Tip: If you want to recognize the bird sounds you hear along the way, use the
free app 'Merlin'.
Buy the walking map
Prefer a walking map in hand? Then buy the clear trail map here. On it you will find the necessary practical information, an overview map with all resting places, viewpoints, catering and other useful information. The Wijerstrail map costs €8 and can be purchased at the tourist services of De Wijers or online.
Get your Wijerstrail souvenir
Would you like a souvenir of your special Wijers adventure? Order the unique Wijerstrail pin and put it on your hiking backpack or jacket. With this pin you also support nature in De Wijers, because € 0.50 per pin goes to the Wijers Foundation, to protect and strengthen the region.
Of course you can also make a donation to support De Wijers. Donate here.
Useful addresses:
Do you have an emergency? Call 112 or use the 112 app.
Do you notice a problem on the route? A fallen tree or is a signpost missing? Be sure to let us know via meldingen[@]rllk.be. Be sure to let us know the exact location and take a photo if necessary.
Share your adventure with those back home and our followers via #dewijers and @dewijers.