Start – Centre of Haelen
The hike begins at junction 85, near the church and the old town hall. From here, follow the signs toward junction 82. You leave the village via a bridge over the restored Haelense Beek and pass the monumental 18th-century Strikkenhof farm.
Through the Leudal to two water mills
Walking through the Leudal nature reserve, you arrive at the Leumolen, a historic grain and oil mill from 1773. You’ll recognise it by the statue of Saint Ursula on its facade. In front of the mill is an orchard with traditional fruit varieties, just like in the past.
Following the Leubeek stream, you reach the Elisabethsmolen, now a ruin with a modern waterwheel. The mill was destroyed in 1944 and partially restored in 2014. Today, the wheel generates energy.
Nature along the way
Between the mills, the trail follows the winding Leubeek. Keep an eye out for signs of beavers, or, with a bit of luck, spot a kingfisher. The route crosses the stream at the Koebrug and continues through woodland and open fields.
Remembering at the Monument of Tolerance
Along the way, you’ll pass the Monument of Tolerance. It commemorates 687 soldiers from 11 nationalities who died in the Leudal area between 1940 and 1944. Each November, a remembrance ceremony is held here.
Visiting the De Bedelaar estate
Crossing heathland and ancient burial mounds from the Bronze and Iron Ages, you reach the estate De Grote Bedelaar. This is where physician and anthropologist Eugène Dubois once lived. Just after junction 96, you briefly leave the main trail to enter the woods through a small gate. There you'll find the owl tower built by Dubois. Each floor offers shelter to a different species from owls to bats. After visiting the owl tower, rejoin the trail and walk back to the starting point in Haelen.