Top 5 Huts and Cabins around Hechtel-Eksel

The Van Soest domain forest is a valuable stepping stone between the valleys of the Mangel and Helderbeek rivers. The sand dunes and the interesting alternation of light deciduous forests and dark coniferous forests make walking here a pleasant experience. Since 1998, the young generation of Heusden-Zolder has had its own play area in the domain forest. This area is about four hectares in size and consists of a beautiful combination of a play meadow and forest. Plenty of space, therefore, for youth movements to organize a treasure hunt, capture the flag, stealth mission, etc. The meeting point is always the 'Speelhuisje' (Playhouse), a true institution in the municipality of Heusden-Zolder. Once, an 18th-century (hunting) pavilion stood on this sand hill, but due to stability problems, it could no longer escape the wrecking ball in 2003. A few years later, it was replaced by a beautiful wooden shelter. The students of VTI Beringen were responsible for the design and realization. The local scout group took on the patronage. Since then, the members have had a special badge on their scout shirts with the motto 'I take care of the Playhouse'. A beautiful gesture! @https://natuurenbos.be/natuurgebieden/van-soest

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/

An information board about the Meylandt walking area hangs on the log cabin with a brief history of the domain and a biography of Count de Theux de Meylandt.

Behind the castle of Meylandt lies the Blokhut of fishing club De Meylandtvissers. The Blokhut is open from: Monday and Tuesday from 13:00 to 19:00 Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 13:00 to 22:00 Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00 Closed on Thursday

Always nice and cozy and have a drink at a reasonable price at the Meylandt Vissers with a view of the pond and the castle

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

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".