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

There are currently five national parks in Belgium, De Hoge Kempen National Park opening in 2006.[1][dubious – discuss]. 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

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

There are many tiny nature reserves, including:

  • Zwin 1.58 km2 (1.25 km2 on Belgian territory)

Landscape parks

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

References

  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.