Donderslaghei, Ophovenerbos and Kluisberg

Practical

Tested: 09/03/2025 Distances: 4.5 km green – 8 km blue – 15.7 km red.

This route can be found on the walking map of the Duinengordel published by the Hoge Kempen National Park.

A dog walking area to be proud of

We depart from the small car park along the N76 Meeuwen-Genk on the left at the beginning of the forest, just after the end of the buildings in Plockroy Meeuwen. Close to this car park, at the start of your walk, you will find a large dog walking area in the coniferous forest. We take advantage of this to let our Mazzel stretch his legs undisturbed before he has to go back on the leash. The dog walking area is number 1 on our list of favourites!

The Blue Stone

We make a small detour from the route. Here, the Blue Stone lies near a small open heathland with heather and purple moor grass. This stone is an old boundary marker that marked the border between Wijshagen, Gruitrode and Meeuwen. The underground mining concession of the Kempen Coal Mines extended to this point.

Fens with melodious names

You walk for a while through monotonous conifer plantations to join the red-marked footpath. This leads you through a variety of open spaces, mixed forests and field margins through the nature reserve.

Eye-catchers are the valuable fens with evocative names such as the Ruiterskuilen, the Turfven, referring to former peat extraction, and the Schaapsven. At the Ruiterskuilen, a metal jetty with picnic benches offers a beautiful view of the lake. When we arrive, we encounter a few picnicking cyclists enjoying the first spring sunshine. The toads have not missed this early warmth either. They are sitting in their dozens in the Turfven. The males are actively searching for a female to cling to, waiting for her to lay her eggs in the water so they can fertilise them.

Play forest Het Joekelbos

Suddenly, you come across an old sand dune that makes it clear that you are in the Duinengordel. Climb the hill, operate the manual water pump and let the water flow down the wooden structure. At the bottom, you will see a sturdy long table in the water with a triangular shelter on the other side, reminiscent of Scandinavian bushcraft. We have arrived at the “Joekelbos”. If you are visiting with children, it is best to take a break here. This environment invites endless fun.

Later, we explored the Joekelbos in more detail and parked at the entrance to the forest behind the Sentower riding school.