List of protected areas of Belgium

Heathland at the Hoge Kempen National Park

There are numerous protected areas in Belgium with a wide variety of types, protection levels and sizes. The below list gives an overview of the most important protected areas.

National parks

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There are currently five national parks in Belgium, De Hoge Kempen National Park opening in 2006.[1][dubiousdiscuss]. In 2022 two national parks were designated in Wallonia: Parc National de L'Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse and Parc National de la Vallée de la Semois. In 2023 three national parks were designated in Flanders: Nationaal Park Scheldevallei, Nationaal Park Bosland and Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden.

Photo Name Founded in Area (km2)
Hoge Kempen National Park 2006 127
L'Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse National Park [nl] 2022 221.29
Vallée de la Semois National Park [nl] 2022 290
Brabantse Wouden National Park [nl] 2023
Scheldevallei National Park [nl] 2023
Bosland National Park [nl] 2023

Natural parks

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There are many natural parks in Belgium, including 9 in Wallonia (called Parcs Naturels).

Photo Name Founded in Area (km2) Comments
Hohes Venn – Eifel Nature Park 1978 720 This natural park is a transboundary park between Belgium and Germany.
Burdinale-Mehaigne Nature Park 1991 110
Two Ourthes Nature Park 2001 760
Upper Sure Anlier Forest Nature Park 2001 720
Attert Valley Nature Park 1994 70
Viroin-Hermeton Nature Park 1998 120
Scheldt Plains Nature Park 1996 260
Hill Country Nature Park 1997 233
Gaume Natural Park 2014 581
High Country Nature Park 2002 157 11.5% (1,840 ha) is Natura 2000[2]

Nature reserves

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There are many tiny nature reserves, including:

  • Zwin 1.58 km2 (1.25 km2 on Belgian territory)

Landscape parks

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There are currently five landscape parks all of whom where founded in 2023.

Photo Name Founded in Area (km2)
Vlaamse Ardennen Landscape Park [nl] 2023
Zwinstreek Landscape Park [nl] 2023
Hart van Haspengouw Landscape Park [nl] 2023
Grenzeloos bocagelandschap Landscape Park [nl] 2023
Maasvallei Landscape Park [nl] 2023

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ignace Schops - Goldman Prize". Retrieved 2009-01-22. After years of campaigning, Ignace Schops has led the effort to establish Belgium's first and only national park.
  2. ^ These figures are from the park's website, but doesn't add up. Either 11.5 % is wrong or 1,840 ha is wrong.