Klankenbos

Listen up! Get outside and go for a walk with a difference, where you’ll be using your ears just as much as your legs.

If you’re looking to spice up a weekend walk or want to entice the kids outside with something a bit more exciting than repeating your usual trails, then you might want to check out Klankenbos. Found in Provinciaal Domein Dommelhof in Pelt, is this permanent collection of sound art set in lush forest surroundings, a set-up you won’t find anywhere else in Europe.

The 17 installations, created by internationally renowned sound artists, are there to stimulate your ears and bonus, look pretty cool too. How often do you really pay attention to what you can hear? To make the most of the experience, get out your listening skills and engage with the installations where you will find yourself consciously dealing with sound as well as silence.

The installations are hidden amongst the trees, so feel free to set yourself the challenge of finding them all...or you can just download the app which guides you to them, whatever you fancy. On average, it takes about 1 - 2 hours to discover all that beautiful sound art.

• Klankenbos is always open and is totally free, so you can fit this easy-going activity around all your plans.
• The Klankenbos trail is near a busy road, some say the road noise takes away from the sound installations, while others say it adds to the whole audio experience, but you’ll have to go and decide for yourself.
• Take a break, refuel and keep the kiddos - big and small - entertained at the Scoutsrally brasserie where you’ll find a large outdoor playground and minigolf.

Nearby Goodies

If you want to discover all the installations, you’re looking at a 1.5-hour walk, so probably don’t plan on spending the day here. But, don’t worry there are other things to do in the area.

• Not had your nature fix here? Head over to the scenic Hageven - De Plateaux nature reserve on the Belgium/Dutch border just 5 km from Klankenbos.
• Lommel Saharah is another cool experience about a 20-minute drive from Neerpelt where you can go and see Limburg’s own mini-desert and let the kids entertain themselves running up and down sand-dunes.