DISCOVER WORLD WAR I ON THE GREEN BICYCLE ROUTE

ROUND THE SCHIETVELD [SHOOTING RANGE]

OF HOUTHALEN-HELCHTERENpractice grounds during WWI (44,4 km)

is natuur

LOOP 2: ROUND THE SCHIET-VELD [SHOOTING RANGE] OFHOUTHALEN-HELCHTEREN

If you arrive from Loop 1 (intersection 309) and you want to cycle to Maasmechelen, then cycle in the direction of intersection 539 in Helchteren Centre. If you want to start from Loop 2, you can start from wherever you like.

1: VALLEY OF THE MANGELBEEK.As you cycle between intersections 538 and 317, you cross the Mangelbeek Valley. The Mangelbeek springs in the ‘Schietveld of Houthalen-Helchteren’ (military zone). This river valley is a European protected area thanks to its particularly fi ne alder carrs. On your way to intersection 75, you cycle through the Hoevebos, To the left of the cycle path is the military zone Schietveld Houthalen-Helchteren.

2: SHOOTING RANGE HOUTHALEN-HELCHTERENBehind these fi elds of poppies lies the Pampa Range. During WWI, this open heath area was also a practice area for pilots. The pilots took off in their biplanes in As and shot here at one of the 17 targets: trenches with wooden soldiers (photo 2) and wooden aircraft. The wooden aircraft were positioned towards the Airfi eld of Asch, so that pilots knew in which direction they should fl y (photo 3). Mustard gas was tested here on sheep.

1: KELCHTERHOEF ESTATEThe Abdijhoeve and Hoeve Jan are ideal spots for a break. Cycle from intersection 75 via Houthalen-Oost in the direction of intersection 512 in Genk.

2: MASY ESTATETo the left of the road is the Masy Estate, in the Military Zone. It is not accessible to the public. This was the estate of Théodore Masy, a rich engineer, director of a coal mine in Luik and co-founder of the coal mine of Zwartberg. He built the country house in 1870 as his second residence. In 1917, the Germans forced the residents to leave their estate. Nothing

much remains of the ‘castle’, but the exotic giant redwoods and the twenty different varieties of oak and beech, planted by the engineer, are still standing.

3: TIP OF THE MINE OF ZWARTBERGThe fi rst mine buildings of Zwartberg were inaugurated in 1910 but the fi rst coal was not brought to the surface until after WWI in 1920. The coal mine of Zwartberg closed, despite bloody resistance, in 1966. The tip is a silent witness to this coal mine’s past. Carefully cross the road to Zwartberg. Cycle further towards intersection 512.

3: KLAVERBERGTo the right of the cycle path, behind the strip of poppies, is a young afforestation with sessile oaks. The sessile is a rare oak that grows naturally on the Klaverberg, a forested dune area. The sessile oaks that grew here are indigenous (genetic regional oaks). The seeds were harvested and propagated from a tree nursery to woodland. This woodland, indigenous to the region, was planted here. Some indigenous juniper bushes, a shrub species typically found in the Limburg heath areas, were also planted on the dune ridge. Cycle further towards intersection 512. The woods, that can now be seen, and the spoil tips of Waterschei, are largely managed by the Agency for Nature and Forests. From the top of the tip you can enjoy a phenomenal view of the landscape. You may be tempted to return some time to make this demanding hike.

Length of the route: 40,4 km Di� culty level (max. = 3)

Foto: Karel Flipkens

INTERSECTION 39 Here you can:• Cycle towards intersection 40 to join the green Great War

cycle route to Maasmechelen.• Cycle towards intersection 529 to follow loop 2 towards

the departure point.

4: NATUURHULPCENTRUM [WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTRE] The Natuurhulpcentrum is a shelter for sick or wounded animals and those in need of assistance. Once the animals are fully recovered, they are again set free in the wild. For more information about visiting possibilities: see www.natuurhulpcentrum.be Cycle further towards intersection 70. On the way to intersection 33 you cycle through the Duinengordel.

4: DUINENGORDEL This nature reserve consists of a ridge of land dunes, which have been forested since the emergence of coal mining. More openness was created around the Turfven and the Ruiterskuilen. In this way, plants and animals that live on the warm sand or near the water are given more chances of survival. This sandy, undulating area attracts many horse riders and mountain bikers. There is also a variety of trails. More info on www.duinengordel.be

DUINENGORDEL CAR PARK Various trails start from this car park. A good starting-place for exploring the Duinengordel.

5: VALLEY OF THE ABEEK You cycle via the Gestelstraat through the valley of the Abeek, one of the finest river valleys in Flanders. The river springs on the shooting range. Along the banks lie attractive peaty meadows, and very beautiful alder carrs. The Abeek is rightly included in the European Natura 2000 network. www.natuurpunt.be/life

6: SCHIETVELD HOUTHALEN-HELCHTEREN, PAMPA To the south lies the Pampa Range: a shooting range covering 2200 hectares, part of the Kleine Brogel Air Base, the 10th Tactical Wing. In 1900, John Cockerill leased a large area of land near Masy, for the purpose of testing cannons made in Luik. During WWI, it was a shooting range for the Fliegerschiess Schule in As. Mustard gas was tested here on sheep. During the Second World War, Pampa fell into the hands of the Luftwaffe. Since 1953, Pampa has been a shooting range for NATO air force exercises. Access is, needless to say, strictly prohibited. Thanks to this military use, the centuries-old heath landscape has been preserved.

5: RAMPSALIGHE SINT-NICLAESDAG [DISASTROUS ST. NICHOLAS DAY] The wooden monument was erected here to commemorate the Disastrous St. Nicholas Day of 6 December 1648. Here, a militia of 1500 farmers fought the soldiers of Charles, Duke of Lorraine. These soldiers received no pay, but were permitted by the duke to plunder the region for supplies. The farmers were taken by surprise and had no time to load their muskets. The soldiers from Lorraine shot and killed 400 farmers, and several hundred more were seriously injured. Cycle towards intersection 4.

6: SIBERIA The agricultural area to the north of the Shooting Range was called Siberia, because of its expansiveness. In 1909, the Brussels-based doctor Armand Denisty purchased 580 hectares of land here. He constructed roads, provided irrigation and built warehouses and greenhouses. His farm, where vegetables and grapes were grown, had 250 labourers. It had its own school, own shop and even its own airfield from where grapes were flown to England. The Middendijk was and is the main road in this area. Denisty sold the estate in 1949. The buildings from the Denisty era (a little farther: Ruitersbaan no. 1) were partly demolished, partly rebuilt and modified to later agrarian purposes, including cattle breeding. Cycle via intersections 77, 76 to 538.

7: SONNISHEIDE FARM (OSSEVENSTRAAT 6, 3530 HELCHTEREN) The Sonnisheide Farm breeds and rears sheep and cattle. The sheep graze on the heath on the military land, which produces exceptional and naturally high quality lamb. In the ice salon, you can enjoy artisan ice cream, made from fresh milk from the farm. On appointment, the owners will give you a tour and tell you something about their life and work on the farm. Cycle farther to intersection 538, where possibly you started this loop 2.

Foto: Karel Flipkens

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