Hoge Kempen National Park

Hoge Kempen National Park (Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen) designates the first and for long the only national park of Belgium, officially inaugurated in March 2006 in the Limburg province. It covers 12,000 hectares of heathland, pine forest, former gravel pit lakes and reconverted mining spoil tips. Six tourist gateways (Connecterra, Kattevennen, Pietersheim, Mechelse Heide, Lieteberg, Station As) structure access. A notable point: the park shelters more than 7,000 surveyed animal and plant species, including the sand lizard and the black darter dragonfly (protected species) (Visit Belgium officiel, 2026).

Hospitality context
La Butte aux Bois in Lanaken (Relais & Chateaux) directly borders the park and offers hiking packages with naturalist guide, e-bike and premium picnic lunch. The area strengthened its tourist visibility after the last coal mines closed in 1992.