Opglabbeek: Dune Landscape, Nature and Special Trails

Opglabbeek combines an impressive dune landscape with nature trails, special family experiences and noteworthy historic buildings. Anyone planning a trip with a variety of day-trip ideas will find both marked hikes through the Bosbeek Valley and the adventure-themed Joekelbos, as well as an equestrian park and cultural attractions. This makes it possible to tailor the search for a suitable holiday apartment to your own interests: nature, exercise, shared discoveries or regional history.

Dunes, Forests and the Bosbeek Valley

The Duinengordel stretches out near the border between Gruitrode and Opglabbeek. The dune complex of the Limburg Kempen is one of the largest of its kind in the region, measuring 5 to 6 kilometres long and 500 metres wide. The Duinengordel extends across Opglabbeek, Meeuwen-Gruitrode, Bree and Maaseik. The Oudsberg, also known as Zandberg, lies within the dune massif. It is the highest point of the massif and rises almost 40 metres above the Kempens Plateau.

A different type of landscape awaits you in the Bosbeek Valley. The nature reserve can be reached from the Dorpsplein in Opglabbeek via a connecting route through the marsh forests. Three marked hiking loops lead through the area. The Bosbeek Valley provides a habitat for beavers, herons and demoiselle damselflies, among others. Those who value nature observation and a variety of trails when planning their trip can specifically include this landscape in their selection.

Trails and Experiences for Different Holiday Days

The purple hiking route “Station As” starts at the Dorpsplein Opglabbeek trailhead and leads through the valleys of the Bosbeek and the Kleine Beek. For a cycling tour, the route “Fietsen tussen Duinengordel en Terhills” is a good option; it runs through Opglabbeek and As. These two routes give your trip planning different focuses: you can plan a hike through river valleys or explore the surroundings by bicycle.

Nine wooden animals are hidden along the route in Joekelbos. The forest also includes a stilt-walking and climbing course. Joekelbos is the country’s largest adventure-themed forest playground. The paved path in Joekelbos is accessible to pushchairs and people with reduced mobility. This provides concrete options for families who want to combine active outings with activities designed in different ways.

Culture, History and Sentower Park

The local history is also part of Opglabbeek’s character. The Sint-Lambertus parish church is a church in Maas Gothic style and was founded by Averbode Abbey. Its old sections are protected as a monument. The town hall of Opglabbeek was built in 1767 in the neoclassical style on the orders of Abbot Gisbert Halloint of Averbode. With the exception of the northern extension beneath a mono-pitched roof, it is protected as a monument.

The former grain watermill Watermolen Slagmolen on the Bosbeek dates from 1859 and is now set up as a café. Sentower Park is home to a multifunctional park covering around 10 hectares, with a state-of-the-art equestrian centre. Professional and recreational riders can train there and take part in regional, national and international competitions. Hiking trails and the extensive cycle network connect Sentower Park with its surroundings and the Duinengordel.

The Right Base for Planning Your Trip

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Opglabbeek, first consider which experiences should shape your trip. The Duinengordel and the Bosbeek Valley are the main attractions for days in nature, the Joekelbos is ideal for shared activities, and Sint-Lambertus, the town hall and Watermolen Slagmolen offer cultural and historical discoveries. Those wishing to include equestrian sport or a cycling route can also consider Sentower Park and the “Fietsen tussen Duinengordel en Terhills” route.

More local pages: Hechtel-Eksel, Houthalen-Helchteren, Peer, Bree, Kinrooi, Kermt, Lummen and Sint-Truiden.

To the main travel overview: Limburg.