Stage 7. Born (NL) to Opglabeek (NL)

The first mention of the place name Born dates from the year 1125. The settlement Born arose on the northeast side of the Graetbos (forest) near a water source. Born is located along the Juliana canal and in the so-called “waist of Limburg“, a narrow part of the Netherlands that connects South Limburg with the rest of the country.

From the village center, the distance to the Belgian frontier is 2,5 kilometers westwards and 4,7 kilometers eastwards to the German frontier. The Hondsbeek (stream) runs east of Born.

In the Middle Ages Opglabbeek lived from agriculture and turf extraction. At the end of the eighteenth century, Opglabbeek is visible on geographical maps as a small village on the edge of the moor.

To the west of the village is a vast expanse moorland; the Donderslagse Heide, which extends as far as Houthalen. To the north of the village is the Gruitroodse heide (moorland) and to the southwest the Waterscheidse heide (moorland). From the nineteenth century, large parts of this extensive moorland was forested or urbanized.
From the beginning of the 20th century, the expansion of the coal mines Zwartberg and Waterschei were important, but were closed in the late 1960.

Overview map:

Stats:

Start:	Born (NL)
Coordinates (DD)	51.031997 / 5.812019
End:	Opglabeek (BE)
Coordinates (DD)	51.043789 / 5.583648
Distance:	21,0 kilometers
Uphill:	100 meters
Downhill:	60 meters
Path, dirt road, gravel, nature trail:	90%
Asphalt, road:	10%
More additional info like GPX track:	*Go to Komoot page here… (external).**
Print:	Go for download here… (pdf)

*Komoot is a navigation and route-planning app that enables you to create and follow routes that are based on walking/riding type and ability. Be aware you have to sign up for free to have access to the app.