Top 20 Natural Monuments around Valkenswaard
Best natural monuments around Valkenswaard are characterized by diverse landscapes, including extensive heathlands, fens, forests, and meandering rivers. This region, situated near the Dutch-Belgian border, offers a variety of natural attractions for outdoor enthusiasts. It is known for its unique biodiversity, with areas like De Groote Heide designated as Natura 2000 sites. Visitors can explore a rich tapestry of natural environments, from sandy soils to water-rich areas with rare plant life.
Best natural monuments around Valkenswaard
- The most popular natural monuments is Lommelse Sahara Observation Tower, a viewpoint offering an overview of the area. From its 30-meter height, visitors can see up to 25 km on a clear day, encompassing the Sahara, ponds, and forests.
- Another must-see spot is Sahara Beach, a beach within a unique nature reserve. This area features desert-like sandy soil, a result of industrial activities and silting.
- Visitors also love Roof of Brabant, a climb and viewpoint. This location provides a good spot for training altimeters and offers views over the Gulbergen estate.
- Valkenswaard is known for its heathlands, fens, and forests. The region offers a variety of natural monuments to see and explore, including areas with unique plant life and diverse ecosystems.
- The natural monuments around Valkenswaard are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 1000 upvotes and more than 750 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Lommelse Sahara Observation Tower
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Lommel Sahara
Highlight • Natural Monument
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Birdwatching wall Lommelse Sahara
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Willow huts by Will Beckers
Highlight • Forest
It was designed by the Lomme-based land art artist Will Beckers. He is known for his nature-based landscape artworks using materials he borrows from forests and meadows, trees and shrubs. His art creates a dialogue between culture, nature and environment and invites you to interact and experience.
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Bronze Age Burial Mounds at Vessem
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The burial mounds near Vessem are among the oldest visible traces of habitation in this region and date back to the Bronze Age (approx. 2000–800 BC). These low, round mounds were erected as burial sites and are often still subtly recognizable in the landscape. In the Bronze Age, it was customary to cremate the deceased. The ashes were then buried in an urn or directly in the ground, after which a mound of sand and turf was placed over it. Sometimes multiple burials were made in one burial mound, causing it to grow over time. The burial mounds are often located on higher sandy soils, as near Vessem, because these spots were dry and clearly visible in the landscape. They probably served not only a funerary purpose but also as markers of territory or important routes. Many burial mounds have been flattened over the centuries by agriculture and forestry, but a number have been preserved and today form a valuable archaeological monument. During a walk, they are sometimes only visible as slight elevations in the forest — silent witnesses to thousands of years of human history. A special element in the landscape, where nature and prehistory literally come together.
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People with reduced mobility can reach the lower platform of the tower via an inclined plane. (Municipality of Lommel)
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This 30-meter-high observation tower has three platforms that offer you a wide view of the surroundings.
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Beautiful nature reserve highly recommended
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Beautiful nature reserve and very special walking area! Well worth a visit
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These burial mounds near Vessem date from the Bronze Age. They were used as a cemetery. The human remains were buried and the burial mounds were built over them.
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A clear blue lake, surrounded by a mini-desert and coniferous and deciduous forest in the Bosland region. The lake was created by sand extraction in the 1920s.
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The Lommelse Sahara is a sand and dune landscape with a size of 193 hectares. In the middle is a lake and all around are coniferous forests. This landscape belongs to the Bosland forest area. The Lommelse Sahara is located in the immediate vicinity of the Kempen canal over which the pedestrian bridge forms a gateway to this sandy area. The area is European protected as part of Natura 2000 area 'Valley area of the Kleine Nete with source areas, marshes and heaths'. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lommelse_Sahara
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of landscapes can I expect to see around Valkenswaard?
The natural monuments around Valkenswaard offer a diverse range of landscapes. You'll find extensive heathlands, serene fens, dense forests, and meandering rivers. Areas like De Malpie and De Groote Heide showcase this variety, from sandy soils to water-rich areas with unique plant life.
Are there good hiking trails around Valkenswaard's natural monuments?
Yes, the region is excellent for hiking. De Malpie was even recognized as the 'Hiking Municipality of the Year' in 2016. You can find attractive and varied routes through heath, fens, and forests. The Road Cycling Routes around Valkenswaard guide also features routes that pass through these scenic areas.
What cycling opportunities are there near the natural monuments?
Valkenswaard and its surroundings are very cyclist-friendly. De Groote Heide offers a vast network of bicycle tracks. You can explore routes like the 'Groot Malpieven – Achelse Kluis Abbey loop' from the Road Cycling Routes around Valkenswaard guide, or try gravel biking routes such as 'Valkenhorst Heath – Heathland Trail loop' from the Gravel biking around Valkenswaard guide.
Can I go mountain biking near these natural monuments?
Absolutely! The area provides excellent mountain biking opportunities. The MTB Trails around Valkenswaard guide features routes like the 'Aalsterhut MTB Loop' or the 'Vlasroot Pond – Mountain Bike Trail loop', allowing you to explore the diverse terrain on two wheels.
Are there any viewpoints offering panoramic views?
Yes, there are several notable viewpoints. The Lommelse Sahara Observation Tower provides a stunning 30-meter-high perspective, allowing you to see up to 25 km on a clear day, encompassing the Sahara, ponds, and forests. Another great spot is the Roof of Brabant, offering views over the Gulbergen estate.
What wildlife can I spot in the natural monuments?
The natural monuments are rich in wildlife. In De Malpie, you might encounter big-eared bats and Natterer's bats in the bat cellar, and various bird species like green and great spotted woodpeckers. The Strabrechtse Heide is home to Highland cattle, sheep, deer, and a wide array of birds around Het Beuven fen, including cormorants, bitterns, and spoonbills.
Are the natural monuments around Valkenswaard family-friendly?
Many areas are very family-friendly. For instance, the Willow huts by Will Beckers offer an adventure trail with unique braided artworks that children (and adults) can explore. The Lommelse Sahara Observation Tower and Lommel Sahara Lake are also popular with families, offering engaging experiences in nature. De Plateaux-Hageven even has wheelchair-accessible trails.
When is the best time to visit to see the heather in bloom?
To witness the stunning purple heather, the best time to visit is between mid-August and mid-September. During this period, areas like De Malpie and the Strabrechtse Heide transform into a vibrant, picturesque landscape, perfect for photography and leisurely walks.
Are there places to eat or drink near the natural monuments?
Yes, you can find options for refreshments. The Venberg Water Mill, located in De Malpie, serves as a great starting or ending point for visits, offering snacks and drinks. Additionally, the Achelse Kluis Abbey, surrounded by a natural reserve, has a brasserie where you can relax and enjoy local specialties after your outdoor activities.
Can I cross the border into Belgium while exploring these natural monuments?
Yes, several natural monuments span the Dutch-Belgian border, offering a unique cross-border experience. De Groote Heide is an expansive natural park across both countries, and De Plateaux-Hageven is a transboundary nature reserve where you can unknowingly cross the border on winding paths.
Are there any unique natural features or 'hidden gems' to discover?
Definitely! De Plateaux-Hageven features unique 19th-century water meadows, irrigated with calcareous Meuse water, leading to a rich botanical diversity including rare plants like autumn crocus and orchids. The Strabrechtse Heide also boasts Het Beuven, the largest fen in the Netherlands, supporting unique plant life and a wide array of birds.
Are there any wheelchair-accessible trails in the natural monuments?
Yes, De Plateaux-Hageven is known for having wheelchair-accessible trails, allowing a wider range of visitors to enjoy its diverse landscapes, including culturally historic water meadows, forests, and footpaths.
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