The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Natuurreservaat De Maten

The heath landscape is a remnant of a historical, extensive agricultural ecosystem. Of the area of heath that existed around 1850, about 5 percent remained at the end of the twentieth century. The remaining heathlands are now nature reserves or are used as military training grounds. Today, heath is scarce in Flanders and still covers 0.6 to 1 percent of the total area: about 7,700 to 13,000 hectares. Nevertheless, the heath landscape is of great importance for the preservation of biodiversity: 13% of the most endangered animal and plant species in Flanders can be found in the heath landscape.

The name Maten is related to the English "meadows". The area is part of De Wijers, a pond complex on the transition from the Kempens Plateau to the Demer Valley. On the poor sandy soils of the Kempen, fish farming was a source of extra protein. As early as the Middle Ages, series of ponds were created by means of simple cross-dikes in the valley. The overflow from one pond simultaneously forms the supply for the next pond. For the ponds in De Maten, the Stiemerbeek valley was dammed up several times. As fish farming became more intensive in the first half of the twentieth century, many ponds were given separate inlets and outlets. In De Maten, you will still find a mix of both systems. The water management is therefore a complex part of the management of one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders.

Ornithology or bird science is a specialization of zoology that deals with the study of birds. It includes the classification of species and observation of behavior, migration, song, and flight patterns. Birds are ringed, among other things, to learn more about their migratory behavior and age. An ornithologist is a practitioner of ornithology. A hobby ornithologist is a birdwatcher.

The Slagmolen (Slag Mill) is a centuries-old watermill building in Genk (Termien), situated right on the edge of the De Maten nature reserve and the Stiemerbeek valley. Dating back to 1523, it is probably the oldest existing building in the city and served as a functioning watermill for centuries. This mill was powered by the water of the Stiemerbeek stream and its tributaries, meaning the wheel turned as soon as there was sufficient water in the stream. This technique was typical of rural life in the past, and the stream was regulated to keep the mill running. This created the area around De Maten into a dynamic landscape of water features and ponds. Today, the Slagmolen is no longer a typical working mill, but its ambition is high: after a thorough renovation, the building will be operational again and serve as an official visitors center for De Maten, featuring an information desk, café, and meeting space for hikers and nature lovers. The opening of this center is planned for the summer of 2026.

The Vlonderpad (Boardwalk) in the Stiemerbeek Valley is a charming and accessible walking path that is part of the green network around the De Maten nature reserve and the Stiemerbeek Valley near Genk (Belgium). The path brings you literally and figuratively closer to the water in wet and marshy terrain. You walk on wooden walkways that allow for a safe, dry, and atmospheric walk. The boardwalk is a partially wooden walkway constructed along a wet section of the Stiemerbeek Valley, the natural area surrounding the stream with its banks and marshes. Where the path would otherwise be muddy, the walkways guide you across the wet terrain, allowing you to walk peacefully while staying close to the water and experiencing the nature around you. On this path, you often walk along the stream between reed beds and wet vegetation. It feels like a beautiful transition between the more traditional forest and grassland path and a true marsh landscape. It's an ideal spot for birdwatching, spotting aquatic life, and enjoying the sensory experience of water and nature. The boardwalk is located in the Stiemerbeek valley near the De Maten nature reserve and is part of the walks marked out in this area. It's close to hiking trails around De Maten, such as those that visit the Augustijnenvijvers and Homeleswijer ponds, and can be easily combined with other trails in the region. Combine the boardwalk with a longer loop through De Maten for a full day of nature, allowing you to see both forests, ponds, and reed beds. Bring sturdy walking shoes; although the boardwalk ensures dry feet, the surrounding paths can sometimes be muddy or soft after rain. It's an easily accessible path and ideal for a relaxing nature walk or as a rest stop during a longer route.

The Bumblebee in the De Maten nature reserve isn't just an animal or insect habitat, but a pond (étang), a water feature that forms part of the rich pond landscape in this beautiful nature reserve between Genk and Diepenbeek (Belgium). The Bumblebee is one of the many ponds in De Maten that together form the pond complex belonging to the De Wijers landscape (the land of 1001 ponds). This pond is located near waterways such as Schutwijer and Sint-Janswijer and is part of the hiking networks that run through the reserve. You'll encounter the Bumblebee when following routes that pass various ponds, such as the walks along Volmolenweg and the paths around the Slagmolen. These routes allow you to experience the character of De Maten and its variety of open water, reed beds, and wetlands that support a rich bird and plant life. The Bumblebee is located in the northeastern part of the reserve, not far from paths and other ponds that offer views of the water and nature. It's a lovely spot for quiet, bird song, and reflections in the water during your walk. Bring binoculars when walking around De Maten, as the ponds, including De Hommelaar, often attract waterfowl and other wildlife, especially early in the morning or at sunset.

In De Maten nature reserve, grazers play a vital role in preserving the landscape and biodiversity. The area consists of a mix of wet meadows, marshes, reed beds, ponds, and heathland. Without human or animal intervention, parts of this landscape would gradually become overgrown with shrubs and trees. To prevent this, various types of grazers are used. Galloway cattle: These Scottish cattle are prized for their robustness and natural grazing style. They keep grass and shrub growth under control, thus preserving open landscapes such as wet heathlands and grasslands. Konik horses: Sometimes used to keep areas accessible for typical marsh and grassland plants. Their grazing behavior differs from that of cattle, creating a varied effect on vegetation. Sheep and other small grazers: In some areas, they are used for fine-grained management, such as grazing reed banks or open meadows. 🌱 Why grazing? Biodiversity: Keeping grasslands and reed beds open creates opportunities for rare plants, amphibians, and birds. Natural management: Grazers follow their instincts and spread seeds through their fur and dung, creating a dynamic and self-sustaining ecosystem. Reed and shrub management: Especially in wetlands, grazers ensure that reed beds don't become too dense and that wetlands remain open to waterfowl and other wildlife.

Homeleswijer is one of the characteristic ponds (wijers/ponds) you'll encounter during walks through the De Maten nature reserve in the Belgian province of Limburg. It lies within the watery landscape of the reserve, which is part of the larger De Wijers pond area, a network of natural and man-made ponds that originated from centuries-old fish farming traditions in the region. In De Maten, the Stiemerbeek stream and its tributaries formed the basis for pond complexes containing water features like the Homeleswijer. Dams and overflows made fish farming possible, creating a unique marsh and pond landscape full of reed beds, open water, and wet grasslands. Walking trails through De Maten—ranging from short loops to longer hikes—run along and around these ponds. They are true natural treasures: herons, waterfowl, and typical marsh plants can be found here, and information boards often line the path explaining the ecology and water management. Many walks along the Homeleswijer are signposted and start, for example, at the Slagmolen in Genk or at other access points in De Maten.