Lieteberg
Lieteberg welcomes you to the wonderful world of bees, butterflies and other ticklish insects with an experiential indoor museum and flowery Butterfly Garden, but is best known for the adventurous Barefoot Path.
The Lieteberg hiking area has nine hiking loops. Four of them start at the Entrance Gate (visitors' reception car park). The other loops can be reached from entry points nearby. What to expect: woods, hay meadows, juniper bushes, recognised quiet area, transition to Haspengouw.
Photo: Rudi Van Beek
Practical information
Access Gate Lieteberg
Stalkerweg 46, 3690 Zutendaal [1]
T: +32 89 25 50 60
https://www.lieteberg.be/en [2]
Opening hours :
The hiking area is accessible daily from sunrise to sunset. If you also want to use the facilities of the gateway (horeca, toilet, museum...), check here [2] for the opening days and hours of Lieteberg gateway.
WALKING IN LIETEBERG
There are 7 starting points for exploring the Lieteberg walking area:
Lieteberg entrance
5 km green route [3] | 8.7 km blue route [4] | 10.2 km red route [5] | 13.5 km orange route [6]
Address: Stalkerweg 46, 3690 Zutendaal
Dorpsplein starting Point
5 km green route [3] | 10.2 km red route [5]
Address: Vijverplein, 3690 Zutendaal
Krieckaert starting Point
8.3 km blue route [7] | 10.5 km yellow route [8] | 10 km red route [9]
Address: Krieckaertlaan, 3620 Gellik - Lanaken
Roelen starting point
13.5 km orange route [6] | 4.5 km green route [10] | 8.3 km blue route [7] | 10.5 km yellow route [8]
Address: junction of Roelerweg and Kiewitsweg, 3690 Zutendaal
Bessemer starting point
13.5 orange route [6]
Address: junction of Bessmerstraat and Gijzenveldstraat, 3690 Zutendaal
Hoefaert starting point
10 km red route [9] | 3 km green route [11]
Address: junction of Hoefaertweg and Dorpsstraat, 3620 Gellik - Lanaken
Papendaalheide starting point
10.2 km red route [9]
Address: Sellerveldstraat, 3690 Zutendaal
Lieteberg Top Walk
- Red route (10.2 km); you can find more information about the top trails here [12].
All walks are shown on the Lieteberg walking map, which is available for purchase at the National Park Visitor Centre and on the Wandeling in Limburg [13] website, amongst other places.
Walking routes in Lieteberg
You can find all the walking routes on the ‘Wandelen in Limburg’ website. Click on the route to find out all the details about this walk, such as the starting point, description and photos.
Walking routes on Komoot
Do you prefer to use the Komoot route platform? You’ll find all our routes there too.
More information about Komoot, and the maps worth €8.99 that you’ll receive from us for free. [14]
What to do?
Barefoot Trail
Take off your shoes for a barefoot walk of almost 3 km. Clamber across the suspension bridge, enjoy the stunning views from the observation tower, walk amongst the treetops, brave the mud puddles and rinse your feet in the refreshing mountain stream. Be sure to stop off at the Jommeke Tower, where you’ll have a unique view of the beehives at Lieteberg. Adventure and fun guaranteed for young and old alike!
BioDrome
What is biodiversity? And why is its conservation of vital importance? Embark on an interactive journey through the forest and the stream valley to the post-industrial landscape and the heathland. Through fun facts and fascinating stories, you’ll learn how animals, plants and fungi work together and communicate with one another. The role of humans in conserving biodiversity should not be underestimated either. You’ll immediately understand the nature conservation measures being taken in the Hoge Kempen National Park.
Your senses will be stimulated: feel, hear, smell and see just how ingenious nature is. Through digital games, even young nature heroes learn how natural processes such as soil formation, water purification and pollination continue to function effectively. After all, this is crucial for our basic needs, such as food, clean air and clean water. Can you earn your BioDrome certificate? If so, a lovely surprise awaits you!
Finally, the ‘Panorama of the Kempen’ – a gigantic painting measuring no less than 33 metres in length – comes to life. This unique piece of heritage, painted by Charles Wellens, depicts the authentic landscape of the Kempen.
In the indoor butterfly garden, you can admire about 30 of the 75 species of diurnal butterflies and some moth species. Here there are only plants they like and where they can nest safely.
Butterfly Garden
In this covered, flower-filled garden, you can enjoy colourful native gems fluttering all around you. Not much sun today? Then go and see where the butterflies and caterpillars have hidden themselves away. You might even spot a butterfly egg or chrysalis! The Butterfly Garden is open from 1 May to 30 September.
Prices, tickets and opening hours
Horeca
At Lieteberg, you’ll find a self-service bistro (bistro + large terrace), run by a team from Arbeidskansen vzw, an organisation that guides and supports people who face barriers to the labour market, helping them to work, learn and grow.
The menu features Belgian classics such as vidé, stewed meat and meatballs in tomato sauce. Naturally, it includes a selection of regional Limburg produce, as well as Lieteberg’s own speciality: a refreshing honey beer. Vegetarians are also catered for. You can also enjoy a sandwich or a slice of Limburg vlaai.
Fancy a picnic on the cosy terrace? You certainly can! We simply ask that all drinks are purchased from Bistro Lieteberg.
The bistro follows the opening hours [16] of the Lieteberg Biodiversity Experience Centre.
Bike rental
Book city bikes and e-bikes (with or without a child seat), children’s bikes, tandems and even a pannier via this link [17]. On the day of your trip, the bikes will be ready and waiting for you at Lieteberg.
Lieteberg is situated between cycle junctions 64 and 251.