Hoge Kempen National Park, National park and Tentative World Heritage Site in Limburg, Belgium.
Hoge Kempen National Park is a protected area of about 12,000 hectares in Limburg with pine forests, heathland, and large ponds created by gravel extraction. The landscape shows a varied mix of dry and wet areas with distinctive elevation changes across different sections.
The landscape was shaped during the last Ice Age with deposits that formed the terrain. In the 20th century, humans extracted gravel extensively, creating the large ponds that now define the area.
The park connects six municipalities through dedicated entrance gates, each offering different local perspectives on how the region values its natural spaces. Visitors encounter various community viewpoints on land use and nature conservation.
The area offers around 200 kilometers of hiking paths and 140 kilometers of cycling routes for visitors of different abilities. Rangers lead regular tours to help explain the site's natural features.
The area is home to rare butterfly species and maintains extensive juniper populations across its marshes and dry valleys. These special habitats developed partly from the legacy of past extraction activities.
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