Hechtel-Eksel, a region in Belgium's Limburg province, offers a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. It is characterized by dense forests, extensive dunes, and a network of lakes and fens, forming part of the expansive Bosland National Park. This varied terrain provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
Hechtel-Eksel provides a wide range of outdoor activities with more than 400 routes across several sports like hiking, touring cycling,…
121
Routes
4.4
(1453)
Average rating
10771
People visited

4.6
(298)
1,682
riders
38.8km
02:19
80m
80m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

4.3
(26)
168
riders
25.2km
01:28
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Mostly paved surfaces.

4.6
(17)
171
riders
41.0km
02:21
80m
80m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

4.7
(30)
139
riders
Easy bike ride. Mostly paved surfaces.
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4.6
(192)
1,056
hikers
6.65km
01:41
20m
20m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.

4.5
(71)
292
hikers
5.58km
01:25
10m
10m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.

4.4
(51)
374
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.

4.6
(52)
398
hikers
7.88km
02:00
20m
20m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.
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4.7
(13)
366
riders
48.1km
02:08
120m
120m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.8
(4)
178
riders
55.6km
02:48
90m
90m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.5
(4)
162
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.0
(1)
77
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.7
(3)
206
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

111
runners
13.4km
01:31
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

56
runners
10.5km
01:13
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

4.0
(1)
43
runners
11.0km
01:17
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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3.2
(9)
108
riders
37.5km
02:10
60m
60m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required.

4.3
(8)
45
riders
13.1km
00:58
20m
20m
Easy mountain bike ride.

4.4
(8)
45
riders
Easy mountain bike ride.

4.4
(7)
32
riders
Easy mountain bike ride.
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5.0
(1)
32
riders
37.6km
02:37
70m
70m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

4.7
(7)
30
riders
Easy gravel ride. Mostly paved surfaces.

35
riders
95.3km
05:49
180m
180m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5.0
(2)
7
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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Hechtel-Eksel offers a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, jogging, and gravel biking. The region is part of Bosland National Park, providing diverse landscapes for recreation. More than 490 routes are available across these sports.
Hechtel-Eksel is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 15,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. There are 493 total routes available for various sports.
Hechtel-Eksel offers diverse hiking trails suitable for various levels, from easy family-friendly walks to more challenging treks. Examples include the Resterheide - Blue trail, Pijnven Orange Trail, and the Resterheide Heron Trail. For more information, refer to the Hiking around Hechtel-Eksel guide.
Hechtel-Eksel is known for its extensive cycling network, integrated into the Limburg cycling route network. Routes are available for touring cycling, road cycling, and mountain biking. The region features the iconic 'Cycling through the Trees' experience. Explore options in the Cycling around Hechtel-Eksel guide.
'Cycling through the Trees' is an iconic circular cycle bridge in Bosland National Park. It allows cyclists to gradually ascend to 33 feet (10 meters) in height, offering a unique sensory experience of the forest canopy. This attraction is considered a major tourist highlight in Limburg.
Hechtel-Eksel is designed to be child-friendly, featuring adventure forests, playing meadows, and interactive walks. The Pijnven Forest, for example, offers playing meadows, climbing facilities, and specific routes like the 'Bosbewonersroute' (Forest Dwellers' Route), which is a child-friendly walk with wooden animal figures.
The region boasts dense forests, impressive dunes, and a network of lakes and fens. Key natural highlights include the 'In den Brand' Nature Reserve with Flanders' largest sandpit, the Pijnven Forest, and the Vallei van de Zwarte Beek (Valley of the Black Brook) nature reserve, known for its fen landscape.
Hechtel-Eksel offers dedicated mountain biking trails as part of its extensive cycling network. These trails cater to various skill levels within the diverse terrain of the region. More details can be found in the MTB Trails around Hechtel-Eksel guide.
Komoot offers several guides for Hechtel-Eksel, including Hiking around Hechtel-Eksel, Cycling around Hechtel-Eksel, Road Cycling Routes around Hechtel-Eksel, MTB Trails around Hechtel-Eksel, Running Trails around Hechtel-Eksel, and Gravel biking around Hechtel-Eksel.
The official website for the municipality of Hechtel-Eksel is www.hechtel-eksel.be. For general inquiries, the municipality can be reached by phone at +32 11 73 40 37.
Some trails in Hechtel-Eksel are accessible for buggies and wheelchairs. The region is committed to providing diverse experiences, including routes suitable for those with mobility aids. Specific accessible routes may be identified within local trail information.

