Exploring the Hidden Gems of De Kempen: 2-Day Itinerary in Beautiful Belgium
Welcome to De Kempen, a lovely place in the heart of Belgium! If you’re looking for the perfect mixture of adventure, relaxation and good food, this 2-day itinerary is just perfect for you.
There are so many things to do in this region and it has so many beautiful hiking trails that it’s hard to choose a few of them. And the charming city center of Turnhout is also beautiful to explore! In conclusion, I had the best time exploring this region in this memorable 2-day itinerary.
For your information, all these pictures were taken in December 2023.
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Some information about 'De Kempen'
The Kempen is located in northeastern Belgium. A few big cities in the Kempen are Turnhout, Hasselt and Geel. A characteristic feature of the Kempen is the sandy soil, which meant that the landscape mostly consisted of heath, oak forest and fens until 1860. They are still there, but because of construction and heavy fertilization, it’s way less than it used to be. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything left anymore. On the contrary, this region is perfect for a hiking adventure!
How to get to 'De Kempen'?
Belgium is located in western central Europe and borders Germany, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. The United Kingdom is a sea border. As it’s pretty central in Europe and has a heavily visited capital, the country is quite easy to visit.
The roads in Belgium are pretty good and well marked, so the easiest way to reach the Kempen is by car. Also, Belgium has a lot of highways.
1 | With public transportation
The train system is good equipped and is the most enjoyable way to travel around Belgium! No matter the destination in the country, you will be there in no time!
Other public transportations you can take around Belgium are buses and metros, but these are more used in the city center.
So, traveling with public transportation can be easily done from anywhere in Belgium, but know that it will take more time. The best is to look it up online before going to the landmark. Find more information about the train here and the bus here.
2 | By car
The Kempen lies in the heart of Belgium and is quite easy to reach from different places around the country. The drive took me around one hour and I assume that this would be the case for the biggest part of Belgium.
Where to stay in 'De Kempen'
I stayed at Corsendonk Turnova for my 1-night stay in Turnhout and it was the perfect hotel for this short trip! The hotel is pretty close to most sights (with the car). The hotel also offered breakfast and it was such a big buffet that it was hard to choose. And as a bonus, the hotel had a welness so it was perfect to rewind after hiking the whole day!
De Kempen itinerary: Day 1
Arriving in the Kempen and immediately it’s time for my first hike! After lunch and another hike, it’s time to check in the hotel and rewind in the sauna!
1 | First hike at Turnhouts Vennengebied
The first hike I did was the Turnhouts Vennengebied, which is a vast chunk of nature north of the city of Turnhout. The ideal starting point is the visitor center called ‘Klein Engelandhoeve‘ and from here, you can choose a hike tailored to your own needs (from 3 to 12 kilometers).
It doesn’t matter the length of your hike, you will definitely pass by some fens, heaths, forests and swamps. And at the end of your hike, you can warm up in the visitors center for an apple juice or a fresh beer from the brewery ‘Het Nest’.
2 | Eat a delicious lunch at 'Barzoen'
In the middle of the city Turnhout, we ate a delicious meal at Barzoen. You can choose between a lot of different meals, from burgers to veggie lasagna, which is always a bonus! They work with a self service desk, where you need to check in and order at the counter!
3 | Time for another hike with the 'Stiltewandeling'
After a delicious lunch, it’s time to stretch the legs a bit more at the Stiltewandeling. This landscape, located between Oud-Turnhout and Arendonk, is one of the oldest recognized nature reserves in Flanders. This beautiful themed walk lets you immerse in the silent zen power, which gives the name to this hike!
The hike starts at the visitor center called ‘De Liereman‘ and is perfect as a starting point for the 12 kilometer hike! Don’t forget to take your hiking boots as the ground can get soggy. After the hike, you can stop at the visitors center for a drink or a waffle!
Know that this hike was awarded for being the most beautiful hike in the Flanders this year! So, a reason more to do this beautiful hike.
4 | Have a 4-course dinner at Cachet de Cire
Cachet de Cire is a relatively small restaurant that gives you the cozy feeling when entering! The kitchen serves seasonal products that are French-Italian inspired. They switch up the menu a lot, so Cachet de Cire can make optimal use of seasonal products. You can choose between a la carte or between menus!
De Kempen itinerary: Day 2
The second day is all about visiting the city Turnhout and doing other walks in de Kempen that are a bit further away.
5 | Start the day with a city walk around Turnhout
I woke up pretty early to enjoy the morning glory in the city of Turnhout, which is way more beautiful than I thought it would be! This was my very first visit and the city blew me away as it has everything you need: from a shopping street to a castle in the middle of the city.
The best thing to do in Turnhout is to wander around and take it all in, but also to visit the Begijnhof, which is UNESCO World Heritage and the castle called ‘Kasteel van de Hertogen van Brabant‘.
Don’t forget to stop by the tourism information center to get the highlights of the city center.
6 | Find the sleeping giant through gnomes
After a delicious (and very extensive) breakfast at Corsendonk Turnova, it’s time to check out and drive 15 minutes to another hike. And this hike is a special one as the signage is by gnomes so perfect to do with kids.
The hike starts at the ‘Kabouterstraat‘ in Kasterlee and you need to follow the red and blue path, which is 7 kilometers in total. Along the way, you’ll find the sleeping giant!
7 | Have a lunch with a view at Mill-Hill
After you find the sleeping giant, it’s time to eat a delicious meal and the best part of it all, the restaurant is so close to the start of the hike! You can even walk there. The Mill-Hill is located at the Keeses mill that exists almost 50 years. If the weather allows it, you can also play mini golf outside, which is perfect for kids!
8 | Last hike at the Molse Meren
One last hike before going back home! I choose to hike around the Molse Meren in Mol, which is 9.5 kilometers. The hike is very variated with an unique mix of water, sand and green. And don’t forget to stop at the Sas4-tower, which offers the perfect 360° view! Park your car at the Zilvermeer to start your hike.
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Hello, I’m Ellen and welcome to this blog! I’m in love with exploring the world and hopefully I get to inspire you with these blog posts and pictures to feel the same. You will find detailed itineraries, hidden gems, tips and so much more!
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