Oudsberg at Hoge Kempen National Park

**Discover a ‘landscape of gold’ as you make your way across the largest land dune in all of Flanders. **

The gem of the region’s “Dune Belt” (“Duinengordel” in Dutch) is Oudsberg, on the northern edge of the Hoge Kempen National Park. The Dune Belt is a vast nature reserve made up of almost 3000 hectares that spread across the Kempens Plateau in Limburg, becoming part of the Hoge Kempen National Park in 2020.

There are three distinct hiking areas that make up the Dune Belt: Oudsberg, Ophovenderheide and Solterheide. The area is covered with extensive heathland, forest landscape and plenty of land dunes, with Oudseberg being the largest. You’ll have to climb up 85 meters of sand to get to the top of the dune, which can be pretty tough work. Don’t worry though, your efforts are rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of Hoge Kempen and the surrounding woods

Want a quick, scenic walk or a longer hike? There’s something for you here either way. In Oudsberg, there are nine trails mapped out for you that range between 2 and 14 km. No downloadable freebies here unfortunately, but you can buy a map of the trails here for 2.50€ or at any Duiengordel reception point.

• Get your wheels turning and blood pumping - the Dune Belt also has a mountain biking network. A map of the trails will cost 3€ and can be found here.
• You won’t be pushing a buggy through this terrain. But don’t worry, at the Camping Zavelbos site you can hire a wagon, so you can easily transport little ones or picnic supplies across the sand. These cost 9€ per day.
• Get guided! There are a number of guided informative activities and adventurous expeditions on offer across the Dune Belt. Prices and dates vary. Sorry non-Dutch speakers, these tours are only provided in Dutch.
• Keep the kids outside and entertained. Just a 10-minute drive west of Oudsberg is Joekelbos, a huge, adventurously designed play forest that children will love!