The best gravel rides around Hoeselt

The new Castle De Klee was built on behalf of and for the baroness Sneyers-d'Attenhoven in 1904-07. After a fire in 1933, it was restored again. The whole is located in a landscape-style park, enclosed by an iron entrance gate between bluestone pillars.

in exceptionally warm weather, lovely in the shade

The Maas forms the border between the Netherlands and Belgium for a distance of forty kilometers. Here the river has free rein and can be quite wild. A maze of old riverbeds, banks, rapids, and gravel banks creates a wild, untouched landscape. And where there is water, there is life! Konik horses and Galloway cattle graze on the banks, while rare butterflies flutter by. This cross-border nature reserve is a paradise for hikers with over 200 kilometers of trails. There is also an extensive network of cycle paths! Discover not only the natural beauty but also the idyllic villages along the Maas and cross the river via a bridge or ferry. These large herbivores play a crucial role in managing the natural environment. Together, they create a diverse landscape. In winter, the cattle graze on trees and shrubs, while the Konik horses feast on the shorter grass and the best herbs. This unique combination prevents the area from being overgrown by pastures and creates a dynamic mosaic of open meadows, rough scrub, and forests. This keeps nature constantly in motion! The Maas is a rain-fed river, which means that the hiking trails in RivierPark Maasvallei sometimes experience floods during periods of heavy rainfall. This can affect the accessibility of the trails.

On the border of the poor Kempen and fertile Haspengouw lies the Munsterbos. Northeast of the village center of Munsterbilzen, 450 hectares of forests, ponds, marshes, and grasslands stretch out. Here and there, even a patch of purple heather peeks through. The area is so special due to its location on the transition from the sandy Kempen Plateau to the Haspengouw clay region.

This section, together with the water lock and the outer bailey, belongs to the oldest parts: in the Apostles' House, remains of the late Gothic ordinance from the second half of the 16th century from the building campaign of Land Commander Wijnandt van Brijel have been preserved. The complex is located at the highest point of the domain, on the eastern side of the commandery. Seven avenues converge at the gate, symbolizing the Seven Sorrows and Joys of Mary. To the right of the gatehouse was the now disappeared Apostles' House; it was an L-shaped building of two storeys, with a chapel on the ground floor, and twelve rooms for needy men, hence the name Apostles' House; late Gothic core from the second half of the 16th century, enlarged and adapted in 1716-1726, under Commander Damian Hugo von Schönborn, as indicated by a facade stone. After World War II, the Apostles' House slowly deteriorated but has since been restored.

The Katteberg is said to owe its name to a quarry in the nearby Leten called 'In de Kat'. This nature reserve on the Demer is very varied with its fish ponds, species-rich meadows, rough areas, an orchard and a slope forest. The walking path that leads via the Leterweg to Alden Biesen follows the route of a vanished tram line. This was built in 1908-1910 to connect the industrial area of Liège with the Limburg coal mines. The tram line had to bridge a height of 25 meters here and crossed the Demer via a double arched bridge in masonry. The tram tracks were removed in 1952. The pond behind the tram bridge was created by the extraction of clay for the Belisia tile factory in the Zeepstraat.

The Katteberg follows the route of an old tramway. A climb not to be underestimated awaits you here. Historical context: This semi-hardened gravel path follows the route of the former tram line that connected the coal mines of Genk with the industrial area of Liège. The construction of the tram line began in 1908. To overcome the difference in altitude between the station and the hamlet of Leten, an earthen embankment was built over a distance of 700 meters, cutting straight through the Katteberg. A double arch bridge in masonry was built over the Demer river. The steam tram was put into operation in 1910 and caused a huge increase in passenger traffic in the region. The tram was definitively taken out of service in August 1948. The tram tracks were removed in 1952. Now, this is a route where recreational users, hikers, and cyclists can cross paths. Each at their own pace, enjoying together.

Hollow roads are not only important for nature, they also play a valuable role in agriculture and in our free time. Together with other slow roads, they form the perfect routes for hikers, riders, and cyclists to fully enjoy the landscape.