(3) Take the dyke and not the small road that branches off to the left and leads nowhere (anymore).
Please note: the passage is closed between km 7.2 (4) and 8.3 (5) in spring during the nesting period (usually from mid-March to mid-June). You must then continue along the dyke to the point (8) and either return directly to the starting point or turn right and rejoin the nominal route at (5) via Langdonkenstraat (according to OSM) or Slapersstraat (according to Topo IGN or Google) by turning right at (7).
Schulensmeer and Schulensbroek
Schulen Lake and the adjacent marshes are part of the Wijers region , which is home to 1,001 ponds. It is a paradise not only for birds, but also for birdwatchers and walkers. Of course, bird populations vary depending on the season, but you will almost always see egrets, ducks, cormorants, coots, herons, geese and sometimes even the odd kingfisher. Goats and sheep are helping to rehabilitate some of the banks.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 12.45 km -
Average duration: 3h 35 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 6 m -
Descent: - 6 m -
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Highest point: 26 m -
Lowest point: 17 m
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Country:
Belgium
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City:
Herk-de-Stad -
Start/End: N 50.967243° / E 5.168038° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 20 m - Beckersvaart car park
- 1 : km 1.8 - alt. 20 m - Schulensmeer recreational area
- 2 : km 1.89 - alt. 23 m - The River Demer
- 3 : km 4.38 - alt. 17 m - Entrance on the dyke
- 4 : km 7.17 - alt. 22 m - Entrance to the Schulensbroek
- 5 : km 8.32 - alt. 21 m - Exit from Schulensbroek
- 6 : km 10.22 - alt. 24 m - Fancy a little detour?
- 7 : km 10.75 - alt. 21 m - Langdonkenstraat (OSM)/Slapersstraat (Topo/Google)
- 8 : km 11.24 - alt. 19 m - Second dyke
- S/E : km 12.45 - alt. 20 m - Beckersvaart car park
Notes
The official starting point for most of the marked walks along this route is the old tower in the centre of Schulen, which can be reached by bus.
Since 1 June 2025, the numerous parking spaces available in the centre of Schulen have been designated as a blue zone.
If travelling by car, it is best to park your vehicle at either end of the Schulensmeer, as suggested here.
Worth a visit
Nearby: the old tower of Schulen. Turn right onto (6) to the centre of Schulen, then retrace your steps and resume the route.
Further away: the Het Vinne estate and pond in Zoutleeuw.
Other walks in the area
Schulensboek, Demer valley
Visorando Member 15.80 km
+11 m
-11 m
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Herk-de-Stad (Province de Limbourg)
Welcome to the Demer valley, where water, reeds and meadows form a living landscape, shaped by time and floods. Around the village of Schulen, the Gulkerveld is reminiscent of the former floodplain, once feared, now a refuge for birds and botanists.With its 700 hectares, the Schulensbroek nature reserve is one of the largest wetlands in Flanders. Herons, greylag geese, lapwings and bitterns share the ponds and meadows.The Halbekerdijk, an old dyke, bears witness to the struggle against the waters, while the drier Vijversheide contrasts with its pine and birch trees. The Schulensmeer, created to regulate the floods of the Demer, has become a paradise for aquatic wildlife.Area: +700 ha, origin: floodplain, special features: artificial lake turned reserve, migratory birds, wetland flora.Here, the water tells the story of the landscape and the passage of time.
The land of 1001 ponds between Hasselt and the Demer valley
Visorando Member 17.18 km
+20 m
-23 m
5h 00
Moderate
Departure from Hasselt (Province de Limbourg)
Between Hasselt and the Demer valley lies a world of water and mist, shaped by floods and time. Herkenrode Abbey, founded in the 12th century, marks the starting point: a Cistercian centre, it recalls the ancient link between spirituality and nature.In Stokrooie, the landscape becomes wetter before reaching the Albert Canal, dug in the 20th century, a marriage between industry and ecology.The Wijvenheide nature reserve reveals its peaceful ponds, where herons, kingfishers and ospreys thrive. The Kleine Vijver, Witven and Grote Platwijer are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, between reed beds and floodplains.The Zonderikbeek and Vrankenschans meander through peat bogs and fields, witnesses to a time when the Demer shaped local life.The walk ends at the Bosvijver and the Vossen Kuil, where the silence of the water mingles with the breath of the wind.
The Wijers ponds
Visorando Member 
14.64 km
+11 m
-11 m
4h 15
Easy
Departure from Zonhoven (Province de Limbourg)
This region, with its 1,001 ponds and numerous nature reserves, is full of beautiful trails for hikers. Here is one that takes you between the main Wijers ponds and the Albert Canal, which connects the Meuse and Scheldt rivers between Liège and the port of Antwerp.The ponds and the surrounding aquatic and rural landscapes are absolutely magnificent in good weather.
In the heart of Limburg's fruit-growing region since Kozen
Visorando Member 16.57 km
+31 m
-31 m
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Nieuwerkerken (Province de Limbourg)
The Sint-Truiden region is renowned for its cherry (to a lesser extent), apple and pear orchards. The walk offers the chance to see them up close (very close). We particularly recommend it during the flowering season, usually in April.
Het Vinne
Visorando Member 17.68 km
+9 m
-9 m
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Zoutleeuw (Brabant flamand)
Country walk starting from the provincial estate "Het Vinne".Ponds, rivers, orchards, pastures and crops for the hiker's enjoyment!There are a few observation points at the edge of the pond.
Through the orchards around Hoepertingen
Visorando Member 
18.32 km
+81 m
-75 m
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Sint-Truiden (Province de Limbourg)
Pear, apple and cherry trees, a few vines and strawberry plants ensure the richness and reputation for fruit-growing of this part of the Limburg Hesbaye. Orchards galore to admire in spring during the blossom and later in the season for their fruit production.
Nature walk in Meerhout
Visorando Member 
18.90 km
+51 m
-51 m
5h 35
Moderate
Departure from Meerhout (Province d'Anvers)
Located south-east of Geel and south-west of Mol and Balen, the municipality of Meerhout remains relatively untouched by the growing encroachment of housing and industry of all kinds. So make the most of it while you can, and that is exactly what this circular route offers: the chance to explore the region’s forests, countryside and heathland, along with a few canals and rivers –pure bliss.
Circular through the Limburg orchards starting from Helshoven
Visorando Member 
13.05 km
+65 m
-67 m
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Borgloon (Province de Limbourg)
Pear, apple and cherry trees, as well as vines, strawberry plants and currant bushes, ensure the wealth and reputation of this part of Limburg's Hesbaye region for its fruit production. There are orchards galore to admire in spring when they are in bloom and later in the season when they are producing fruit.
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