The best MTB trails around Leopoldsburg

The Leyssensmolen is one of the most characteristic monuments in the Kattenbos in Lommel. This beautiful historic windmill is a popular stopping point for hikers and cyclists in Bosland National Park.

This wooden windmill was originally built in 1797 and has been in several locations over the centuries. That's why it's known today as "the relocated mill." In 1804, the mill was moved to Fransenstraat in Lommel, where it ground grain for the locals for many years. After falling into disrepair, it was carefully restored and rebuilt at its current location in Bosland. Today, the mill is a landmark in the landscape and a pleasant stop for hikers and cyclists. Here, history, nature, and tranquility converge—a place where you can pause for a moment and imagine how the sails once shaped the rhythm of Kempen life. 🌾🌬️

This important attraction is a corn mill with a very turbulent history. The wooden Leyssensmolen, surrounded by a green hedge and crowned with a pyramidal roof, is a must-see in Kattenbos. The mill, named after the Leyssen family who managed it from 1860 to 1905, has been a protected monument since 2001. After three relocations, the last in 1964, the mill now rests in this idyllic location amidst the vast natural landscape. If you're bringing a picnic, this is undoubtedly the most beautiful picnic spot of the day.

A huge marker with rounded curves on which is engraved Geodetic Station.

Plenty of variety between short climbs and small descents. Ideal for practicing technique.

Where the first church of the Beverlo Camp was built in 1837, the Belgian military cemetery now lies. It was built in 1928 on the site where the Germans had built a war cemetery during World War I. In 1945, the German remains were transferred to the large German cemetery in Lommel. In 1972, the Ministry of the Interior took over the cemetery and completely redesigned it. The cemetery consists of a number of honorary plots, but the most important architectural element in the cemetery is the old German memorial chapel, which was adapted in the late 1940s as a memorial chapel for the deceased prisoners of war of both world wars. During the expansion in the 1940s, a second chapel was built on the east side of the First World War cemetery as a copy of the renovated German chapel. A second authentic element that is reminiscent of the former German cemetery is the water well. The current brick construction replaces an original in natural stone built by the Germans. The artfully made ironwork is however still the original from 1835. The deep well itself was made in the early period of the camp by the Belgian engineers. By taking the German cemetery the surface of the Belgian cemetery expanded to 183 ares. There are a total of 1312 graves.

As early as 1837, a large ice cellar of 80 m³ was built in the Royal Park. The ice was collected in the winter from fens in the vicinity of the camp. It was stored in the cellar and used by the military hospital, to treat swellings or reduce fever, and in the kitchen of the Royal Palace. Above the ice cellar, a hill with a kiosk was built that served as a belvedere in the park. Today, it is used by bats as a roost.

This cemetery was created for the approximately 800 soldiers from the British Commonwealth who died during the advance to Arnhem (Operation Market Garden). The cemetery contains the gravestone of the British Major Lord Robert Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, who died in Heppen during the liberation battles and was the husband of Kathleen Kennedy, sister of former President John F. Kennedy. The cemetery also contains the graves of two recipients of the highest British military award, the Victoria Cross. This cemetery was created in 1948 and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.