The best running trails around Genk

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 origin of our current customs and traditions? At 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 engaging 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.

Cycle bridge next to the road bridge. A beautiful structure for a safe crossing.

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.

Along hiking trails in wooded and damp areas, they are sometimes immediately noticeable. Giant tree roots, rising straight up into the air, are exposed when a large tree has fallen. Where a massive trunk once stood, you now see an impressive wall of earth, roots, and stones. These natural sculptures tell a story of time, weather, and soil. The fall of such large trees often occurs in areas with wet or river-like soil, such as stream valleys and alluvial plains. The roots grow broadly but relatively shallow there because oxygen is scarce deeper in the soil. During heavy rainfall, high groundwater levels, or storms, the tree loses its grip and topples, pulling its entire root system out of the ground. The exposed root ball clearly demonstrates the complexity and branching of a mature tree's root system. Thick taproots extend into a network of fine root hairs, between which layers of soil, clay, and stones, have been pulled. Such a fallen giant reveals what normally remains hidden and offers a rare glimpse into the subterranean world of the forest. Ecologically, these fallen trees and their root balls are of great value. The root wall provides shelter for insects, spiders, and small mammals. Seeds can germinate in the loosened soil, while rotting wood returns nutrients to the soil. Over the years, moss grows over the roots, creating small micro-landscapes where new life can establish itself. For hikers, fallen giant tree roots are striking landmarks. They underscore the dynamic character of nature, and forests are not static backdrops but constantly in flux. What is a fallen tree today can be a breeding ground for young trees and plants tomorrow. In this way, loss becomes part of renewal. The sight of these giant roots is a reminder that even the largest trees are not invulnerable and that natural processes—wind, water, and time—continue to shape the landscape. In their silence, fallen tree roots tell a powerful story of transience and restoration.

The Bokrijk Open Air Museum is a large and characterful museum park in Genk (province of Limburg, Belgium) that offers a unique insight into rural life, crafts, and the culture of the past. The museum is part of the extensive Provincial Domain Bokrijk, a park of approximately 550 hectares where nature heritage and recreation come together. The open-air museum opened its gates to the public in 1958 when the province of Limburg realized the project in response to the rapidly changing living and landscape situation after the Second World War. The goal was to preserve historical buildings, traditional crafts, and agricultural elements before they were lost due to modernization and urban expansion. In Bokrijk, you will find more than 140 authentic historical buildings such as farmhouses, mills, workers' houses, sheds, and even an old church. Many of these buildings have been dismantled from their original location and rebuilt stone by stone in the museum park so that they are preserved for future generations. The museum is divided into several thematic areas, each showcasing a different aspect of rural life. Kempen – with a focus on crafts such as bread and textile production and workshops where artisans demonstrate their techniques. Haspengouw – where costume and living history actors bring life around 1900 to life and you can see historical farmhouses and animals. East and West Flanders – tranquil cultural landscapes with craft demonstrations by, for example, a herbalist, tanner, and miller. The Sixties – a separate exhibition visualizing daily life in the 1960s with realistic sets such as a café, gas station, and living rooms. Bokrijk is not just about buildings, but also about experience and participation. Visitors can view historical crafts up close or actively participate in workshops such as baking bread or making pottery. There are also educational routes with various signposted walks through the museum section itself. In addition to the open-air museum itself, the domain offers much more. De Wijers — a large pond area that you can explore, among other things, via the "Cycling Through Water" attraction, where you literally cycle through the water. Arboretum Bokrijk — a remarkable botanical garden with a collection of trees and shrubs that can be admired throughout the year. Open-air playground — the largest free playground in Flanders, popular with families with children. The park itself is accessible year-round, but the open-air museum has a seasonal opening: it is open from April 5 to November 2 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the exception of Mondays outside of school holidays. The Bokrijk Open Air Museum offers an extensive journey through time of Flemish rural life, from centuries-old farmhouses and traditional crafts to the daily life of the sixties, doing so in a way that is educational, interactive, and appealing to all ages.

The view of the lakes and slag heaps in the Klaverberg nature reserve is one of the most impressive panoramas in the Genk region and the Hoge Kempen National Park. Here, a landscape unfolds where rugged industrial history and young, resilient nature seamlessly blend. From elevated points, you can look out over glistening waterways, undulating heathland, and the striking silhouettes of the slag heaps, silent witnesses to the mining past. The slag heaps, formed from the waste from the coal mining of the former Waterschei mine, today form green hills reclaimed by nature. What was once a symbol of heavy industry is now a haven for hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers. The slopes bear a mosaic of grasses, lichens, pines, and birches, while in some places, rare plants have managed to survive thanks to the specific soil structure. At the foot of these slag heaps lie lakes and ponds created by subsidence and water extraction after the mine closures. These pools reflect the sky, the ridges, and the surrounding vegetation, creating an almost picturesque backdrop. In clear weather, you can see the water glistening serenely among the greenery, dragonflies skimming the surface, and waterfowl finding their way along the banks. The view changes with the seasons. In spring and summer, the heathland turns a fresh green, interspersed with purple accents from flowering heather. In autumn, warm shades of rust brown and golden yellow take over the landscape, while in winter, the bare slag heaps create an austere, almost mysterious atmosphere. Each season tells its own story here.

Deep in the woods around Thor Park and the Klaverberg, the old train tracks still lie, silent witnesses to Genk's industrial past. These tracks were once the lifeblood of the Waterschei coal mine: wagons full of coal, and sometimes even workers, would rush along the rails, connecting them to the rest of Limburg and Belgium. Today, the tracks are abandoned and partly overgrown with moss, ferns, and young trees. The contrast between the rusty steel and the green vegetation makes it a particularly photogenic landscape. During walks, you can follow the tracks along winding forest paths, sometimes almost completely hidden by fallen leaves and undergrowth. The old train tracks are more than just decorative: they tell a story of labor, industry, and the transformation of the landscape. Hikers experience both the tranquility of the forest and the historical power of the industrial past, making every step along the tracks feel like a connection between then and now.