The Haute Campine National Park is far from having always been the incredible natural oasis we are lucky enough to know today. In fact, it is a former coal mining site that was in operation until 1987. All in all, quite recently! Back then, we could never have imagined that a former mining site would one day provide the perfect setting for a dream getaway!
The Terhills, formerly known as “Connecterra,” is the main gateway to the Park. This tourist destination now covers approximately 336 hectares, bordering the National Park. Come discover this paradise just a stone’s throw from the capital!
A dream getaway surrounded by nature, just 1 hour from Brussels
The Haute Campine National Park, established in 2006, is the first Flemish national park. Since 2011, it has also been on UNESCO’s “Tentative List” in the cultural and natural heritage category. With its 12,000 hectares of incredible, unspoiled beauty, the park promises moments of total relaxation and all kinds of activities, set among lakes and mountains.
For example, there are over 440 km of hiking trails available, including 88 loop trails (meaning that at the end, you return to your starting point after passing through the most special spots). These loops can be very short, less than five kilometers, or longer, stretching up to 16 km.
The Haute Campine National Park is also a perfect place for mountain biking, as it features no fewer than 400 km of mountain bike trails spread across 13 loops! The park is also a delight for horseback riders, as 140 km of riding trails crisscross it. However, it is not a riding center, so there are no horses available for rent. You must bring your own horse.
Let yourself be tempted by Terhills
At the Park’s entrance lies Terhills, a 365-hectare tourist resort built on the former Eisden mining site. Now an idyllic tourist destination, Terhills promises a bucolic and eco-friendly getaway. All transportation there is fully electric, and the facilities are powered by a battery bank and solar panels.
The Terhills Resort offers exclusive cottages and features an outdoor sauna, a swimming pool, and an indoor playground for children, in addition to a restaurant that also has its own beach bar! So treat yourself to a delicious meal or a cocktail with your feet in the sand! The Terhills Cablepark, for its part, is a paradise for water lovers. You can enjoy a wide variety of water sports there . Plus , the Aquapark offers a massive 1,500-square-meter water obstacle course for both kids and adults . And finally, Terhills is home to its own little village, Masmechlen, where you can go shopping or simply take a stroll.
Leave the frenetic pace of the capital behind for a getaway, and immerse yourself in a sublime setting where you’ll be at one with nature!
📍Address: (Terhills Resort) Nationaal Parklaan 1 (North Gate), 3650 Dilsen-Stokkem
📍Address: (Hoge Kempen National Park) Zetellaan z.n. (South Gate), 3630 Maasmechelen (Eisden)
