Kattevennen - nature reserve

Access gate Kattevennen is the only gate of the National Park that is easily accessible by public transport. You take the train to Station Genk. From there you have a walking connection through the picturesque Molenvijverpark and the Heempark to Kattevennen. You can also continue by bus or bicycle.

Bornebos (Kattevennen) is one of the five gateways to the Hoge Kempen National Park. Limburgs Landschap vzw started purchasing here in 2011. The area is spread over the municipalities of Genk and Zutendaal. More specifically, it is located between the hamlets of Terboekt, Gelieren-Neerzij, Wiemesmeer and the Oost-Limburg Hospital. The domain is characterized by its wooded environment. These are mainly coniferous stocks with some heathland remains. If you look carefully, you will find some juniper thickets here and there. The small stream valley of the Dorpsbeek, a side stream of the Stiemerbeek, is located in the northern part of the area. Today, the domain is best known for its Europlanetarium, one of the six active Flemish public observatories. Today it is also an important recreational resort with numerous tourist, sporting and educational attractions. The name Kattevennen is reminiscent of the English “cattle”, which means cattle, and the former fens that existed in the area in which many typical plants and animals could thrive. Unfortunately, the fens, the typical heathland and the shepherd with his sheep have all but disappeared today and Limburgs Landschap vzw wants to restore this as much as possible.

Kattevennen is a nature and recreation area located east of Genk, between the city centre, Zutendaal and Sledderlo. There is a reception gate with tourist, sporting and educational attractions.