Hechtel-Eksel – Discover Nature, Trails and Culture

Hechtel-Eksel combines extensive forests, striking inland dunes and unique insights into history and regional craft culture. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for varied days away can choose between nature experiences, guided tours and cultural discoveries. The right focus depends on whether you prefer long trails, playful experiences with children, historic sites or culinary impressions.

Forests, dunes and varied trails

One defining natural area is Pijnven, a 2,000-hectare forest with circular trails between 2.8 and 10.7 kilometres long. This accommodates different ideas for a day out: shorter routes may suit a more compact stay, while longer circular trails leave more room for an extended hike. One route in Pijnven introduces children to the animals of the forest through playful activities and adds their own moments of discovery to the nature visit.

At In den Brand, the inland dunes reach heights of up to 40 metres. The curved trees there are part of the area’s landscape heritage: they were planted to protect houses from blowing sand. The circular trails in this area are between 2 and 5.6 kilometres long. Those who consider different daily rhythms when choosing their accommodation will find concrete options for shorter walks and longer hikes, without limiting the holiday to just one activity.

The landscape of Hechtel-Eksel, with its dense forests and striking inland dunes, is also part of Nationaal Park Bosland. At Hoksent, the Dommel and Bollisserbeek meet; the stream valley is home to wet alder carr forests and species-rich blue grasslands. These varied landscapes make the area particularly interesting for visitors who want to experience nature not merely as a backdrop, but in its different forms.

Guided experiences and regional history

In Resterheide, a hiking trail combines an adventurous obstacle course with playful elements for learning about nature. For insights into cultural history, the guided Teutenwandeling through Eksel is a good option. During the tour, a guide talks about the Teuten, their lives and what they left behind. The Hoksent Chapel dates from the 16th century and was originally dedicated to Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. It can only be visited accompanied by a guide, which should be taken into account when planning this visit.

The history of the area also includes the Geheim Kerkhof, which during the Second World War was a secret execution and burial site of the German occupying forces for resistance fighters and other prisoners. The Stermolen has stood together with the Molenhuisje in Hechtel-Eksel for more than 100 years. At the Molenhuisje, the history of the mill is explained; the building formerly served as a storage facility, residence and mill. Visits to the Stermolen are scheduled for the second Saturday and fourth Sunday of each month from 1 to 5 p.m.; reservations are not required.

Distillery culture and choosing your accommodation

De Korhaan is a craft distillery in Hechtel-Eksel. Natural raw materials, traditional production methods and old recipes are used there to make jenever, liqueurs and advocaat. De Korhaan is considered one of Belgium’s oldest distilleries still in operation. Guided tours include tastings of five different De Korhaan products. If, alongside hiking, you would also like to discover regional production and flavours, this focus can complement your decision to choose accommodation in Hechtel-Eksel.

When choosing a holiday apartment, the desired mix of holiday days is therefore the most important factor: nature lovers can make Pijnven, In den Brand and the Bosland landscape their focus, while those interested in culture can plan guided trails, the chapel and the mill. For families with children, the playful activities in Pijnven and the nature obstacle course in Resterheide offer additional concrete ideas. This makes Hechtel-Eksel a versatile destination, without requiring every holiday day to follow the same pattern.

Discover more places

If you would like to expand your search across the region, you can find more destinations here: Bilzen, Dilsen, Meeuwen-Gruitrode, Overpelt, Lommel, Hasselt, Gingelom and Zonhoven.

To the higher-level travel overview: Limburg.