The Molenplas walking route starts at the Hompesche windmill. The special feature of the route is that it is located on an island surrounded by two tributary arms of the Meuse. First, a gravel path leads past a group of dead, two-thousand-year-old trees salvaged as part of gravel extraction and now giving the impression of prehistoric monuments.
Accessible for wheelchair users There are two designated parking spaces available for people with disabilities. Next to the brasserie, there is a separate area with wheelchair-accessible toilet and washing facilities. The walking path is covered with firmly packed gravel, making it accessible for everyone. If you wish to reach the summit of the cone-shaped lookout hill (point 1), it is strongly recommended to have assistance or pushing help during the walk. On the second half of the route, there is a short, gentle incline on the walking path. You might encounter Konik horses in the area. At the viewpoint (3), there is a bench for a rest. Natuurmonumenten provides a terrain wheelchair free of charge, allowing you greater mobility in the nature reserve thanks to its wide, sturdy tires. The terrain wheelchair is available only by reservation via email at maasvallei@natuurmonumenten.nl.
A little further along the lakeshore is the town of Ohé with its fairy-tale castle Hasselholt, built in the 16th century. Now the route with its pronounced riparian vegetation leads along the Julianakanaal dike until, between two lakes, you have to cross the water. For this, boulders from the Meuse serve as stepping stones. Caution! In wet weather and in winter, the stepping stones may not be passable and you can take the extended route.
The next stop is a bird observatory, from where you have a great view of the lake. And then it's back to the Hompesche mill through a very varied plant world.
The nature area around the Molenplas is managed by Natuurmonumenten (www.natuurmonumenten.nl). A small exhibition on the area and its genesis can be seen in the Hompesche Molen.