The red loop through the Lommelse Sahara offers a 12-kilometer mountain bike route featuring over 80 percent unpaved terrain and minimal elevation changes, according to Sport Vlaanderen. Located in the northern part of Belgian-Limburg within the Bosland National Park, the route provides an introduction to mountain biking through a miniature desert landscape known as the warmest spot in Flanders.
Exploring the Lommelse Sahara and Bosland National Park
According to Sport Vlaanderen, the 12-kilometer red loop starts at the parking lot of the De Soeverein sports complex. Riders navigate through scented needle-leaf and broad-leaved forests, heath strips, and the Lommelse Sahara, a 200-hectare sand landscape featuring clear blue lakes. The area spans over 5,000 hectares of nature across three municipalities: Hechtel-Eksel, Lommel, and Pelt. Cyclists exploring the trails may encounter the area’s Big Five species, which include the wolf, fox, eagle owl, roe deer, and wild boar.
Did You Know? The Lommelse Sahara is a 200-hectare sand landscape nestled amid naaldbossen and is recognized as the warmest location in Flanders.
Extended Mountain Bike Routes and Regional Connections
Cyclists seeking longer distances can combine the red trail with the blue and green loops in Lommel for a total of 35 kilometers, as detailed by Sport Vlaanderen. The 11-kilometer blue loop features 53 percent unpaved paths and starts at De Soeverein, winding past water pools around the Sahara. The 12-kilometer green loop begins at Camping Parelstrand and leads through forest and heathland with 64 percent unpaved trails. Riders can connect westward to routes in Dessel, which features an expanded biketrail, or travel eastward toward Pelt.
Unique Stops Across Bosland National Park
Bosland National Park comprises 10 unique sub-areas, offering distinct architectural and natural landmarks alongside the trail network. The House of Nature serves as a monumental steel sculpture standing 7.5 meters high and 50 meters wide, functioning as the gateway to the Lommelse Sahara and the starting point for local walks. The Reus van Bosland provides a 30-meter-high observation tower offering views up to 25 kilometers across the desert. Additionally, the Pijnvenbos in Hechtel-Eksel features “Fietsen door de bomen,” a 700-meter bicycle route that elevates riders up to 10 meters high among the tree crowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the red mountain bike loop start?
The red loop starts at the parking lot of sportcomplex De Soeverein.
What are the Grote Vijf (Big Five) species that might be encountered?
Visitors may encounter the wolf, fox, eagle owl, roe deer, and wild boar.
How high is the Reus van Bosland observation tower?
The observation tower stands 30 meters high and offers views up to 25 kilometers away.
Which municipality contains the “Fietsen door de bomen” route?
This route is located in the Pijnvenbos in Hechtel-Eksel.
What is the total distance when combining the red, blue, and green loops in Lommel?
Combining the three loops brings the total distance to 35 kilometers.
What route modifications or trail expansions have occurred nearby?
Routes in Dessel were recently expanded with a biketrail.
What is the height and width of the House of Nature?
It is a 7.5-meter-high and 50-meter-wide monumental steel sculpture.
How many hectares of nature does Nationaal Park Bosland encompass?
The park spans over 5,000 hectares across Hechtel-Eksel, Lommel, and Pelt.
What percentage of the blue loop is unpaved?
The blue loop is 53 percent unpaved over its 11-kilometer distance.
Where does the green loop begin?
The green loop starts at Camping Parelstrand.
Which trail offers a 700-meter elevated path through tree crowns?
The “Fietsen door de bomen” route in Hechtel-Eksel offers this experience at a height of up to 10 meters.
Which municipal areas allow a connection to Dutch trails?
Riders can make the cross-border passage to the Netherlands via Lommel, Bocholt, and Hamont-Achel.
What is the size of the sand landscape in the Lommelse Sahara?
The Lommelse Sahara contains 200 hectares of zandlandschap.
What is the unpaved percentage of the red loop?
More than 80 percent—specifically 82 percent—of the red loop is unpaved.
Which area in the south of Lommel can be explored via the green and blue loops?
Kattenbos can be discovered in the southern part of Lommel.
Will you plan a ride through the Lommelse Sahara or explore the extended cross-border trails in Bosland?
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