The best MTB trails around Stein

This gravel path was walkable but not bikeable. They are laying power cables in the ground, which has created a deep hole in the road.

The Singektrack along the Kikbeekbron in the Hoge Kempen National Park near Maasmechelen is part of the trails through the Kikbeekbron Valley, a nature reserve that has become one of the park's most attractive landscapes since the conversion of a former sand and gravel quarry into a nature reserve. This area is characterized by a tranquil pond, heathlands, marshlands, and forests with a rich ecology that is home to typical flora and fauna such as dragonflies, heathland vegetation, grazing fjord ponies, and a variety of birds and insects. The area around the Kikbeekbron is part of the larger network of hiking and mountain bike trails in the national park, which showcases Flanders' natural diversity and is part of the official hiking and cycling trails that lead visitors through forests, heathlands, fens, and valleys. The Singektrack and surrounding trails are generally part of regular hiking networks and are also incorporated into long-distance routes such as the National Park Trail, a route of over 105 kilometers that passes the park's most beautiful spots. The section around the Kikbeekbron has a temporary route change due to nature management work. Due to roadworks and nature restoration, a section of this trail, including a section near and around the Kikbeekbron, will be temporarily closed or diverted, meaning that certain paths will be inaccessible to recreational users while these works continue. For example, the National Park Trail will be closed for minor roadworks in the valley between August 1 and December 31, 2025, for which detours will be signposted to minimize the impact on nature and protect vulnerable zones. In addition to these specific temporary updates, the park's accessibility regulations state that certain areas within the national park, including the valley around the Kikbeekbron and other vulnerable zones, are legally designated as restricted zones, meaning that access is only permitted via the designated paths and route networks. Beyond these trails, access to sensitive natural areas is only permitted with the park manager's permission or under the guidance of a certified ranger, as the park prioritizes nature conservation and ecological integrity. In practice, this means that the Singek Track and other trails around the Kikbeekbron are currently officially closed or heavily restricted for recreation, especially in areas where new nature restoration or management projects are underway. Visitors are asked to follow the designated alternative routes and detours and to respect the sensitive areas to avoid disturbing flora and fauna—something the park managers strictly monitor. Nevertheless, some visitors, like myself, report sneaking into the area despite the closures and construction. These kinds of personal experiences occur when trails aren't completely blocked, or when visitors ignore the signage to enjoy the trail and views offered by the Singek Track. Such experiences are understandable from the perspective of nature and outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience the scenic beauty of the Kikbeek source, but they technically fall outside the park's permitted access regulations, especially because management works and nature restoration are underway there, and vulnerable nature is recovering. The park emphasizes that access to closed areas is prohibited to prevent damage to the landscape and disturbance of species, and such zones are regularly designated as inaccessible. The Singektrack itself, before the works and restrictions, was popular for the natural diversity of the Kikbeek valley. It allowed you to walk along water features, through heathland, over soft woodland, and enjoy panoramic views of the valley. Its positioning within the network of hiking trails made it a logical, varied route for those who wanted to explore the area, showcasing the transition between open landscape, water, and forest that is characteristic of the Hoge Kempen region. However, since the announced works and new management plans, the valley around the Kikbeekbron has been designated a vulnerable zone. Managers are carrying out restoration and management projects to improve water levels, vegetation structure, and habitats, among other things. This has a temporary impact on the recreational accessibility of trails such as the Singektrack.

At the edge of the large lake lies a tranquil jetty, a spot that immediately invites you to pause for a moment. The wooden platform extends slightly out into the water, offering a beautiful, unobstructed view of the wide lake. Here, the scents of pine forest and fresh water merge, and all you hear is the gentle lapping against the jetty. It's a place where dragonflies skim low over the surface and waterfowl regularly glide by. In calm weather, the lake transforms into a mirror, sharply reflecting clouds and treetops.

Beautiful route, only at the beginning it takes you into the woods, which isn't a very popular pass, so you'll have to get off your bike frequently. It's better to follow the gray gravel road and you'll end up in the same place.

Beautiful bridge in beautiful nature

KNUS Urmond is a bakery and café in the heart of Urmond. There you can enjoy fresh spelt and sourdough bread, homemade pastries, local products, Italian delicacies, good coffee, and a delicious lunch. It's also a great place for hikers and cyclists to stop for a quick break and recharge. The staff is very friendly, courteous, and helpful, and you can have a pleasant and stimulating conversation with them. Authentic, fresh, and above all, cozy, with a pleasant atmosphere created by tasteful music. A return visit is a given. Opening hours: Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084234248188

KNUS Urmond is a bakery and café in the heart of Urmond. You can enjoy fresh spelt and sourdough bread, homemade pastries, local produce, Italian delicacies, good coffee, and a delicious lunch. It's also ideal for hikers and cyclists for a quick pit stop to recharge their batteries. The staff is very friendly, attentive, and helpful, with whom you can also have a pleasant and stimulating conversation. Authentic, fresh, and above all, cozy, with a pleasant atmosphere created by tasteful music. We'll be back. Opening hours: Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084234248188

Deep in the Hoge Kempen National Park, an old, abandoned railway line once served to transport coal and materials from the mining region. Today, the line has fallen silent and is slowly being taken over by nature. Rusty rails disappear beneath moss and weeds, while trees and shrubs embrace the bed. The place exudes a mysterious, almost melancholic atmosphere—a quiet reminder of the industrial past that once bustled here, now transformed into a hidden hiking trail where nature and history converge.