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A piece of Scotland in Mol

Between Zilvermeerlaan and Postelsesteenweg lies a special nature reserve that was once a household waste dump. In 1985, the site was covered with layers of sand and clay. "This used to be a spriet pit from the Second World War," says Jef Sas. "Later, it became a landfill, far from residential areas but still easily accessible."

Nature gains the upper hand

The garbage trucks have long since disappeared and nature has been given free rein again. "The hills here are actually garbage dumps, covered with clay and sand," Jef explains. "The rolling landscape is reminiscent of Scotland."

New walking path

A footpath was constructed over one of the hills. Until recently, sheep grazed here, but now they use push grazing. "A herd of Kempen heath sheep temporarily grazes on demarcated areas to limit the growth of grasses and trees. This gives the heathland a chance to bloom again."

From mid-July to mid-September the heath turns a beautiful purple. An ideal period to explore the 500-metre long walking path.

Where does the trail start?

The footpath is not immediately visible, but arrows point the way. Follow the cycle path along the Postelsesteenweg. As soon as you see a sheepfold, you are there. The path runs over a hill and cuts off a corner of 't Oud Stort. From the hill you have a beautiful view of the area.

The walking path is part of the walk 'Molse Meren', a three-kilometre route around the Stortplas and nature reserve 't Oud Stort. The start is at ecocentre De Goren, Postelsesteenweg 71.

From grass pit to nature reserve

Before 't Oud Stort became a nature reserve, the site served as a landfill for almost thirty years.

During the war years (1940-1944) spriet, an alternative fuel, was mined here. This was not done evenly, leaving behind shallow pits that filled with water.

In 1958, they started dumping household waste. The pits were gradually filled in, until in 1984 nothing of the spriet pits was visible anymore.

Due to the growing environmental movements, local landfills were closed in the 1980s, leading to the establishment of the first container parks.

After the landfill was closed, the site was completely covered in 1989. Limburg heather cuttings were sown, giving the area beautiful heathland vegetation and developing into a valuable nature reserve.