Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Kiewit Domain in Hasselt opened a new bivouac site with 3 tents for 8 people each. Aldermen Tine Jans and Rik Dehollogne highlight its family-friendly, nature-focused experience.
As VRT News reported, a new bivouac site has opened at the Kiewit Domain in Hasselt. The camping area is located in a quiet oak forest between the Amber Garden, the nature garden, and the donkey pasture.
The zone is set up for a limited number of visitors, with space for 3 tents and no more than 8 people each night. 2 wooden platforms of 3 by 4 meters have been built on the site. These platforms give campers a solid base to place their tents and can also be used as tables or benches.
“You’re literally in the middle of the forest,”
Says Tine Jans (Vooruit), alderman for the Kiewit Estate.
“It’s very basic. You sleep under the trees, but you still have accommodations like the Kiewit Estate’s restrooms nearby. Campfires and barbecues aren’t allowed, but a small camping fire is.”
What makes the Kiewit domain in Hasselt a new hub for family Bivouac?
The rules for the site follow the guidelines for bivouac zones. Camping is allowed only from 5 p.m. until 10 a.m., and only for 1 night. Longer stays are not permitted. Campers can use the sanitary block and running water in the courtyard of the estate. A caretaker is present on the domain at all times to oversee the site and make sure the rules are followed.
The new bivouac site in Hasselt has been added to the existing network of zones in Limburg and fills a clear gap in the region. Until now, De Wijers did not have its own location for primitive camping.
“There was still a blind spot in De Wijers,”
Says Stien Stassen, coordinator of the Kiewit Domain.
“There were already bivouac zones in Haspengouw and Hoge Kempen National Park. We’re thrilled to be the stepping stone connecting the two other regions.”
“I am also going to try it with my son and daughter, who have wanted to camp in nature for a long time.”
Rik Dehollogne, Alderman for Tourism (N-VA/Open VLD)
City officials also emphasise the value for visitors to Hasselt.
“It is a great addition to the wide tourist offer of our city,”
Says Alderman for Tourism Rik Dehollogne (N-VA/Open VLD).
“It is not only a stop for cyclists and hikers, but also an exciting experience for families with children who want to sleep outside in a tent. I may even try it myself with my son and daughter, since they have wanted to do this for a long time.”
The camping spot lies near the Pukkelpop festival grounds, but it is not meant for festival visitors. The bivouac zone is free of charge and can only be used after making a reservation through the Agency for Nature and Forests. This system ensures that the site remains available for nature enthusiasts while protecting the area.
“No, they’re not supposed to camp here for free for four days. And we’ll be monitoring that during the festival,”
The coordinator adds.
The Kiewit Domain in Hasselt has a history of more than 300 years. It was once used as a noble estate, later served as an orphanage, and also functioned as a religious refuge before it became a public nature domain of about 130 hectares.
The area is known today for its ponds, meadows, and gardens used for education and nature activities. On August 15, 2025, the estate opened a new bivouac zone to give visitors the chance to stay overnight in nature.
