16 km (20 min)
De Maten
De Maten covers approximately 300 hectares in the valley of the Stiemerbeekvallei, on the border of Genk, Hasselt and Diepenbeek, in the heart of Belgian Limburg. Shaped by centuries of water management and traditional land use, the landscape today is a rich mosaic of heathlands, shifting dunes, reed-fringed ponds and marshland forests.
Nature reserve De Maten, in the province of Limburg, between Genk and Hasselt, is one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders. The walking routes wind between the heathland and along ponds with swaying reed beds. The nature reserve is part of the pond complex De Wijers.
With a bit of luck, you can spot a bittern through the observation screens. Colour codes indicate the different walking routes, or you can cycle through it via junction points on the De Wijers cycling route.
The water management is a complex part of managing one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders. In De Maten, the aim is to restore the landscape of open heathlands with drifting dunes and bog myrtle scrub. The ponds with reed beds and marsh zones are also given every opportunity. Alder carr and oak-birch forests are not forgotten either. A carefully planned schedule of draining and filling the ponds must meet the needs of both waterfowl, waders and amphibians.
You can find more info at https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/de-maten