Best huts around Overpelt are found within the municipality, now part of Pelt, Belgium, offering a blend of natural landscapes and varied accommodations. The region is characterized by serene natural surroundings, including proximity to the Bosland National Park and waterways like the Dommel stream and Bocholt – Herentals canal. Visitors can explore a network of walking and cycling paths, with several shelters and unique accommodations integrated into the environment. This area provides opportunities for both day excursions and longer stays…
Last updated: May 3, 2026
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Sign up now to discover places like this
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Sign up for free
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
The Waag is an ideal stop for hiking enthusiasts: several Warmbeek Valley walks pass by this historic site and offer a wonderful blend of nature and culture. Several picnic benches, some covered and some open, invite you to take a break and enjoy the scenery.
3
0
Close to some small paths and the route of the "orange" walk of Resterheide you will find the Zwartwater here, near the border between Hechtel and Eksel. There is also a birdwatching hut that, like I passed last time, is being renovated. It should be ready again in April 2025. Zwartwater is a small nature reserve that consists of a shallow body of water that attracts many water birds. This body of water was created when a drainage ditch of a fen that was connected to the Zwarte Beek in the second half of the nineteenth century was partially filled in. This is managed by Natuurpunt. You cannot walk along the banks, but it is a beautiful spot in the area of the sources of the Bollissenbeek and Zwarte Beek, where you will also find the Begijnenvijver and the Schuilenswijer nature reserve further north. The bird hide is located across from a small and somewhat older bungalow park that won't bother you if you come here to look at water birds. There is also a path from the road to the bird hide. South of the Zwartwater, the Zwarte Beek rises, near the cycle path of the old railway that also runs close to the bird hide. More information and beautiful photos by nature photographer Jente Kaprowski who spends a lot of time in the hide (and which is now being renovated) and flower field near the Zwartwater can be found at https://www.boslab.be/nieuws/natuurliefhebber-brengt-zwartwater-vogels-prachtig-in-beeld/87/
6
0
Shelter but also an open place for a picnic with several benches in an ideal place where various walking paths meet the cycle path (via a bridge) in the middle of various sights such as the ruins of the Waag, the geological garden, burial mounds, the fitness trail and so on. more at a relatively short distance from the Achelse Tomp.
5
0
Here you will find some simple accommodations (hiker huts and safari tents) for a short staycation. There is also a so-called "Bird House" that is used for Expedition Extraordinary, a 3-day walking tour "for adventurous families with children from 8 years old" as the municipality of Balen describes it. Information at https://www.ontdekbalen.be/doen/wandelen/expeditie-buitenueel and for the other safari tents and hiker's huts at Keiheuvel itself at https://www.keiheuvel.be/overnachten.html
8
0
This shelter and rest hut with three large benches is located between the "big fossé" and a small road along the fields with a beautiful view of the water (and in summer the water lilies) and the corn fields. Why exactly here is a bit of a mystery but that's the way it is. There is probably more than rest and schooling because there is quite a bit of graffiti inside. Those who like old beer bottle stoppers will probably appreciate the stump outside where some have been pushed into. Oh, and there's also a garbage bag for those who keep it clean. Note that a little further on the same watercourse (on the normal road) there is also a picnic bench outside at an electricity cabin. This one also has graffiti for the enthusiasts. Finally: you are here a fifteen minute (approximately) walk from ice cream farm "De Wetering".
5
0
Here you can take shelter if you are attacked by a sudden rain shower
6
1
Around Overpelt, you'll find a diverse range of options, from basic open shelters ideal for picnics to more structured accommodations. These include open shelters like Open Shelter, birdwatching huts such as the Zwartwater Birdwatching Hut, and simple hiker huts or safari tents at places like Vogelhuis Expeditie Buitengewoon Keiheuvel. For longer stays, there are charming vacation homes like Het Zwart Schaap for romantic getaways, the spacious Dommelhuis for groups, and the luxurious A-frame Punthuisje with a private wellness garden.
Yes, several huts and areas are great for families. The Open Shelter and Shelter with Graffiti by the Grote Fossé are excellent picnic spots where various walking and cycling paths converge. Vogelhuis Expeditie Buitengewoon Keiheuvel offers simple accommodations and is a base for a 3-day walking tour designed for adventurous families with children from 8 years old. The region also features numerous easy walking and cycling paths suitable for all ages.
The huts around Overpelt are nestled in serene natural surroundings. You can explore the Bosland National Park, enjoy views of the Dommel stream and the Bocholt – Herentals canal near Dommelhuis, or visit the small Zwartwater nature reserve, home to many water birds, visible from the Zwartwater Birdwatching Hut. The Punthuisje is close to Park Sonnevijver, offering beautiful nature, fishing ponds, and extensive walking and cycling paths.
Absolutely. The region around Overpelt is crisscrossed with walking and cycling paths. For instance, the Open Shelter is located where various walking paths meet. You can find numerous hiking routes, including easy options like the 7 km 'Sevensmolen Windmill – Wedelse Mill (Pelt) loop' or the 'Urnfield Heesakkerheide – Sevensmolen Windmill loop'. For more options, explore the Hiking around Overpelt guide.
Beyond hiking, Overpelt offers excellent opportunities for cycling, mountain biking, and running. Dommelhuis is an ideal base for cycling enthusiasts, being close to a cross-border cycling network. You can find challenging MTB trails like the 'Prinsenloop – Border Marker 181 loop' or moderate running routes such as the 'Running loop from Eksel'. Check out the MTB Trails around Overpelt and Running Trails around Overpelt guides for detailed routes.
Yes, the area combines nature with history. Near the Open Shelter, you can find sights such as the ruins of the Waag, a geological garden, and burial mounds, all within a relatively short distance of the Achelse Tomp. These sites offer a wonderful blend of nature and culture for visitors.
The Zwartwater Birdwatching Hut is specifically designed for nature observers. Located in the small Zwartwater nature reserve, it provides excellent views of a shallow body of water that attracts many water birds. Please note that the hut was undergoing renovation and was expected to be ready by April 2025.
The region is enjoyable year-round, but spring and autumn offer particularly pleasant weather for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, with vibrant natural scenery. Summer is also popular, especially for water-related activities or enjoying the shade of the Bosland National Park. Always check local weather forecasts before your visit.
For a unique and luxurious experience, consider The Punthuisje, an A-frame cabin renovated with natural materials. It offers a private wellness garden and is located in Park Sonnevijver, providing peace, quiet, and proximity to beautiful nature. For a romantic escape, Het Zwart Schaap is a charming vacation home designed for two, nestled in the Bosland National Park.
The Open Shelter is an ideal picnic spot with benches, located where various walking and cycling paths converge. It also serves as a perfect place to take shelter if you encounter a sudden rain shower. Another option is the Shelter with Graffiti by the Grote Fossé, which offers three large benches and views of the water and corn fields.
Visitors appreciate the blend of natural landscapes and varied accommodations. They particularly enjoy the tranquility, the direct access to extensive walking and cycling paths, and the opportunity to connect with nature. The convenience of shelters for picnics and rest, along with the charm of unique vacation homes, contributes to a highly positive experience.


Find more beautiful huts and cabins around Overpelt by checking out the top ones in these nearby places: