The best walks and hikes around Genk

The Stiemerbeek valley contains marshy thickets, with a number of herbs. Prominently present are the yellow loosestrife, the purple loosestrife and the meadowsweet. Hoverflies and longhorn beetles can be seen when they seek nectar on the flower heads of the giant hogweed and the angelica. Furthermore, various species of butterflies, dragonflies, ladybirds and amphibians can be found. The Stiemerbeek flows along the edge of the Kempen Plateau and is quite deeply incised there. Springs can be found in the sloping banks. Although the stream has been straightened, the plots along the stream represent high natural values. The Stiemerbeek valley forms a connecting link between the Bosbeek and the nature reserve De Maten.

Thor Central is a powerfully impressive industrial building that was protected as heritage after the closure of the mines. As part of the search for a meaningful function for the Waterschei mining site and the option to develop the site into a technology park, the assignment to give this beautiful building a new future was also included. Thor Central is the beating heart of the Thor Park site. Besides the Food Plaza with restaurant Partaasch and brasserie Lampada, the building mainly has a business function, with meeting rooms, an auditorium, a central reception, and even a daycare center. Events and exhibitions are regularly held here.

This is NOT C-Mine!!! C-Mine is the mining site of Winterslag. You are in THORPARK, the mining site of Waterschei!!!

The cycle path through the water leads cyclists over a 212-meter-long and three-meter-wide concrete path, with water at eye level on both sides. Swans and other waterfowl swim along the banks, curiously watching the cyclists. Since its opening, interest in this unique cycle path has been enormous. On average, 800 visitors per day explore this unforgettable part of the Limburg cycle network, with peaks on Saturdays and Sundays, and on some days even up to 5,000 cyclists.

Curious about the origins of our current customs and traditions? In the Bokrijk Open Air Museum, you'll discover how the past inspires our future! Dive into the history of crafts and gain practical experience during fascinating workshops. Immerse yourself in the art of bread baking, textiles, and woodworking. Discover heritage breeds at the beautifully restored museum farm or learn all about historical brewing at the Het Paenhuys museum brewery.

Ornithology or bird science is a specialization of zoology that deals with the study of birds. It includes the classification of species and observation of behavior, migration, song, and flight patterns. Birds are ringed, among other things, to learn more about their migratory behavior and age. An ornithologist is a practitioner of ornithology. A hobby ornithologist is a birdwatcher.

A must-see tourist site.

Homeleswijer is one of the characteristic ponds (wijers/ponds) you'll encounter during walks through the De Maten nature reserve in the Belgian province of Limburg. It lies within the watery landscape of the reserve, which is part of the larger De Wijers pond area, a network of natural and man-made ponds that originated from centuries-old fish farming traditions in the region. In De Maten, the Stiemerbeek stream and its tributaries formed the basis for pond complexes containing water features like the Homeleswijer. Dams and overflows made fish farming possible, creating a unique marsh and pond landscape full of reed beds, open water, and wet grasslands. Walking trails through De Maten—ranging from short loops to longer hikes—run along and around these ponds. They are true natural treasures: herons, waterfowl, and typical marsh plants can be found here, and information boards often line the path explaining the ecology and water management. Many walks along the Homeleswijer are signposted and start, for example, at the Slagmolen in Genk or at other access points in De Maten.