Hoge Kempen National Park

The Hoge Kempen National Park is the first and only national park in Belgium. The National Park covers an area of about 5,750 acres in the eastern part of the province of Limburg between the City of Genk and the valley of the Meuse. Opened in March 2006, the National Park is part of the Natura 2000 network of Special Protection Areas.

Heath and pine forests as well as some extensive water areas dot the landscape, which was created during the last ice age, when the Maas large amounts of rocks and stones was deposited from the Ardennes here. The up to 70 -meter-high, 20 -kilometer slope overlooking the valley of the Meuse.

At the domestic animal species here include the European nightjar, the smooth snake and the Silver-studded Bluebird.