Kattevennen Visitor Centre Hoge Kempen
Kattevennen is one of the six gateways to Hoge Kempen National Park, which extends across the municipalities of Dilsen-Stokkem, Maasmechelen, As, Zutendaal, Lanaken and Genk. Kattevennen stands out for its astronomical theme: the Cosmodrome, a public observatory, takes centre stage on the site and regularly hosts public lectures and observation evenings. The visitor centre also explains the geology, flora and fauna of the unique Kempen heathland landscapes.
The visitor centre and its immediate surroundings were designed with accessibility in mind. The welcome building is fully step-free, with a spacious entrance hall, an adapted toilet, a cafeteria and a shop all on one level. From Kattevennen, several walking routes are available, at least two of which are specifically accessible for wheelchair users: the 1.7 km 'Planet Path' and an extended 3 km loop, both with semi-paved to paved surfaces, no steep slopes and rest benches along the way.
Kattevennen's large car park offers several accessible spaces near the entrance. The site is reachable by De Lijn bus 45, which has a stop in the immediate vicinity. A visit to Kattevennen combines perfectly with trips to other gateways of Hoge Kempen National Park, such as Mechelse Heide and Station As, which also offer specific wheelchair-friendly routes.
Good to know
- Reservation
- The visitor centre and walking routes are freely accessible without reservation. Public lectures and observation evenings at the Cosmodrome do require advance booking via the website — those evenings are very popular in good weather.
- Busy and quiet times
- Sunny weekends in May-June (approach to purple heather) and August (heather bloom peak) draw many visitors. Weekdays outside school holidays are noticeably quieter and better suited to a relaxed walk.
- Things to note
- The Planetenpad (1.7 km) and the extended 3 km loop are semi-paved to paved, but towards the east there may be shorter unpaved sections — the marked accessible route stays within the signed paved loops. The Cosmodrome observatory has stair sections to the telescope on the upper floor.
- Visit tip
- Combine Kattevennen with the other accessible gateways Mechelse Heide or Station As for a full Hoge Kempen day. The site is reachable by De Lijn bus 45 and the ground-floor cafeteria offers a pleasant rest stop.
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