Belgium is not a country where many people think of national parks or nature reserves but there are actually quite a few dotted around the place. Offering a broad range of natural beauty with landscapes such as boggy moors, sandy dunes, deep pine forests and countless hills, there is lots to explore for every outdoor lover.
Here are some of the best Belgian National Parks and Nature reserves you should check out on your next visit.
Hoge Kempen National Park

Hoge Kempen National Park is Belgium’s first national park, renowned for its picturesque landscapes which include vast pine forests mixed with purple flowering heathlands, and lovely ponds throughout.. Covering an area of 12,000 hectares, the park is easily accessible from nearby cities like Genk and Maasmechelen. Hoge Kempen offers various activities such as hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Wildlife lovers can also spend some time searching for the park’s elusive fauna, and geology enthusiasts can learn how the park was formed.
Burdinale and Mehaigne National Park
Experience the rolling hills, lush forests, and charming rivers of the Burdinale and Mehaigne National Park. This 11,000-hectare park is home to the two namesake streams, the Burdinale and Mehaigne, which of course means lots of fun activities like walking, bird watching, and fishing. On top of that, you can explore the region’s rich heritage, with stunningly conserved local villages and a whole lot more to discover.
Zwin Nature Park

The Zwin Nature Park, located in West Flanders, is a small natural park covering only 1.25 square km. It is right on the coast and contains tidal marshes which are of course home to a wide range of bird species. The park can easily be reached by car or bike from nearby Knokke-Heist. If you love bird-watching, then this is the place for you.
Two Ourthes Nature Park
Immerse yourself in the dense forests, sparkling rivers, and steep valleys of the Two Ourthes Nature Park. This 76,000-hectare park runs along the Luxembourg border, deep in Wallonia. As well as offering lots of outdoor options in and around the many forests, rivers, and lakes in the region, it also reaches the lovely La Roche-en-Ardenne, which is well worth a visit on its own.
High Fens – Eifel Nature Park

The High Fens – Eifel Nature Park, covers a vast area of 700,000 hectares and crosses borders with Germany. Its unique character contains high plateaus with moorlands and peat bogs. It is also dotted with picturesque villages making it even more interesting to visit.
The park also includes the highest point in Belgium, Signal de Botrange at 694 meters, as well as countless other hills you can explore. Interestingly, the part was in many parts a former army training ground that has since been put to much better use I would say.
Grenspark De Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide

This cross-border park between Belgium and the Netherlands, Grenspark De Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide boasts 67 km² of heathland, sandy dunes, fens, forests, meadows and others. As well as lots of quite unique wildlife that thrives in this area. It is perhaps no surprise that this park is currently one of six being considered for a Flanders National Park.
There are a number of entrances from either Holland, Belgium, or even Germany. Once you are in there, you can do anything from hiking, walking running, cycling, or just wildlife spotting or in particular bird-spotting.
Belgium’s national parks and nature reserves showcase the country’s stunning natural beauty and diverse ecosystems, providing unforgettable experiences for nature lovers. Whether you prefer exploring coastal landscapes, venturing into dense forests, or wandering through picturesque river valleys, Belgium’s parks offer a wide range of activities and attractions. Pack your bags and embark on an adventure in the heart of Europe!