This hiking route takes you through the cross-border nature reserve Altenbroek between 's-Gravenvoeren and the Dutch town of Noorbeek. It owes its name to Castle Altembrouck, which you see lying in the distance on the way. The Noordal, the hollow roads and the Schoppemerheide are true gems to walk through.
Distance: 10 km.
Time: 2h30.
Grade: Easy.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: 210 meters.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: Walking nodes.
Hiking shoes recommended.
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Schoppemerheide.
From the village, through which the river Voer flows, you quickly walk through hollow roads with the obligatory badger fortresses. Afterwards you descend into the Noor valley. You follow the course of the flawless Noor, you climb a hill through meadows and you follow a network of paths lined by hawthorn hedges. Then it continues along chalk-rich grasslands in the direction of the Dutch town of Noorwijk. This southernmost village in the Netherlands was the first Dutch village to be liberated by the Allies in 1944. Before the village we walk further in the direction of the Belgian Schoppemerheide. This wooded area is part of Altenbroek. Until the beginning of the 19th century it mainly consisted of heathlands, but you don't see much of that anymore because of afforestation. Although Natuurpunt tries to restore the heath vegetation. The last part follows a short distance along the Voer, which you also encounter in 's Gravenvoeren, the end point of this walk.
Download PDf for nodes to follow.
POI 1 - Altenbroek nature reserve.
The Altenbroek nature reserve is a valley landscape. In what was once a slightly sloping plateau, the Maas and its tributaries have carved out a number of wide, V-shaped valleys with a flat valley floor. A process that lasted millions of years ... The fauna also looks southern. The vine snail, the Burgundy escargot, is our largest Belgian snail. Some may only know them as a gastronomic delicacy. Lime plays a major role here, because the vine snail needs a lot of it for the heavy snail house. Gently sloping hills, a winding source stream, hollow roads, graves and orchards form a landscape to frame. Wild boar and badgers sniff around here at night. Altenbroek Castle also gives the area a special cachet. Explore the Voer region along the crystal clear, winding Noorbeek.
Natuurpunt.
www.natuurpunt.be.
