Top 20 Lakes around As

The lakes around As are distinctive due to their integration into a landscape that blends industrial heritage with natural beauty. Many are situated within the Hoge Kempen National Park, featuring former mining sites transformed into green hills, extensive ponds, and heathlands. This offers a unique experience where you can explore both natural scenery and historical significance.

Visitors particularly enjoy the Fietsen Tussen de Mijnterrils Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge offering 360° views between the iconic Eisden tailings. Another favorite is the View of the Grote Plas from Terhills, providing an impressive panorama over a vast water body within the Hoge Kempen National Park. The Mechelse Heide — Lakes and Sand Dunes area is also highly appreciated for its heathland, lakes, and romantic ponds.

Yes, several areas are suitable for families. The Fietsen Tussen de Mijnterrils Bridge is designed for both cyclists and hikers, offering an engaging experience. The Mechelse Heide — Lakes and Sand Dunes area provides beautiful surroundings for walks and exploration, with varied terrain including heathland, forests, and sand dunes that children often enjoy.

The region around As offers a diverse range of natural features. You'll find extensive heathlands, especially vibrant when the heather is in bloom, pine forests, and sand dunes. The lakes themselves vary from natural bodies of water to former quarry lakes and romantic ponds, often surrounded by green banks and reed beds. Viewpoints like the View of the Quarry and Lake at Mechelse Heide offer impressive vistas over these varied landscapes.

Many visitors recommend coming in August, especially to areas like Mechelse Heide — Lakes and Sand Dunes, when the heather is in full bloom, transforming the landscape into a beautiful purple hue. The opening of the Fietsen Tussen de Mijnterrils Bridge in September 2024 also marks a great time to visit for cyclists and hikers.

Absolutely! The region offers numerous hiking opportunities. You can find trails ranging from easy to moderate, such as the 'Route Station As (blauw) - Mechelse Heide' or the 'View of the As Fishpond – Flemish nature reserve loop'. For more options, explore the dedicated Hiking around As guide.

Yes, cycling is a very popular activity around the lakes in As. The Fietsen Tussen de Mijnterrils Bridge and the Cycling Across the Floating Bridge – Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen are prime examples of routes designed for cyclists, offering unique experiences over water and through the landscape. You can find various routes, including 'Cycling through the Mechelse Heide – Mechelse Heide loop', in the Cycling around As guide.

The Hoge Kempen National Park, where many of the lakes are located, is a haven for wildlife. The Grote Plas from Terhills, for instance, attracts numerous water birds, creating a lively yet serene environment. The cleaned-up industrial sites have also become home to various butterfly species and plants.

Yes, the region is known for its impressive viewpoints. The View of the Grote Plas from Terhills offers a spectacular panorama over the vast water body. Additionally, the View of the Quarry and Lake at Mechelse Heide provides elevated views over heathland, woods, and a gravel pond, showcasing the area's diverse topography.

Visitors frequently praise the unique blend of nature and industrial heritage. They love the opportunity to cycle or walk over water on the floating bridges, the breathtaking views from various viewpoints, and the serene beauty of the heathlands, especially when the heather is in bloom. The transformation of former mining sites into natural landscapes is often highlighted as a fascinating aspect of the region.

Yes, gravel biking is a popular activity in the area. Routes like 'Cycling through the Mechelse Heide – As Bicycle Bridge loop' offer challenging and scenic rides. For more detailed information and route suggestions, you can refer to the Gravel biking around As guide.

While the guide focuses on the natural attractions, the presence of 'Station As' in some route names suggests public transport connections to the general area. However, specific public transport details to individual lake highlights are not provided. It's advisable to check local transport schedules for the most accurate information.