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Lommel Sahara – Lommelse Sahara Observation Tower loop from Natuurreservaat De Maat

Lommel Sahara – Lommelse Sahara Observation Tower loop from Natuurreservaat De Maat

Moderate

riders

Lommel Sahara – Lommelse Sahara Observation Tower loop from Natuurreservaat De Maat

02:09

31.8km

70m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 29, 2026

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Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Nationaal Park Bosland

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3.38 km

Beverlo Canal

Highlight • River

The Bocholt-Herentals Canal (also known as the Kempen Canal or the Maas-Scheldt Canal) is a canal in Belgium that connects the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal in Bocholt with the Albert Canal in Herentals, over a distance of approximately 57 kilometers. It is one of the seven Kempen canals between the Meuse and Scheldt rivers.

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3.50 km

The Blue Boulder

Highlight • River

The Blauwe Kei - De Maat area actually consists of three unique nature areas, each with its own character. Haylands, deciduous forests, heaths, fens, shallow ponds and marshes alternate in this surprising piece of nature on the border between Lommel and Mol.

You will find wooded drives, inland dunes and vast plains here. De Blauwe Kei is one of the tourist attractions of Lommel, with its canal and sassencomplex.
(Forestland)

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4.13 km

WWII Observation Bunker and Blue Bridge at Russendorp

Highlight • Historical Site

The bunker, on the Russendorp road, was part of the defenses along the canal and is accessible. It's on the south side of the bridge.

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10.9 km

Bunker in the Sahara of Lommel

Highlight • Monument

Der up on the right side and over the steep side off again.

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12.1 km

Lommel Sahara

Highlight • Natural Monument

This nature reserve with many opportunities for walking and cycling was created by human activities. For example, the lake was created by sand extraction between 1920 and 1925 and the exhalation of the former Lommel-Werkplaatsen zinc factory caused all green plants to disappear between 1902 and 1940. The result was 350 hectares of arid landscape covered in white sand.
To prevent further expansion, coniferous forestation was established after the Second World War. The process of complete silting up was prevented with the help of hedges of deadwood (so-called 'mutsaards'). As a result, the sand area was reduced in size to the current 193 hectares. Today the area is known for its countless water birds and the exotic feral black swans.
The Poudreries Réunies de Belgique explosives factory previously had its testing site on the Sahara. Remnants of this can be found, such as a shelter, the place where employees hid while testing grenades. There is also the ruins of an extermination pit, a structure with a diameter of about 10 meters in which unnecessary ammunition was demolished. As well as the original concrete safety pyramids, which had to stop shrapnel and cannonballs.
(Wikipedia)

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13.9 km