The best MTB trails around Awans

This transparent church, aptly named 'Reading Between the Lines', is a work of art by PIT, designed by the architectural duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh. It symbolizes the decay of the church. The ten-meter-high artwork consists of one hundred stacked layers of sheet steel in the shape of a church in Loon. Thanks to the unique construction, the beautiful Haspengouw landscape remains visible through the church. In 2012, this transparent church received the 'Building of the Year' award from the renowned website ArchDaily. It was the first time a Belgian project received this honor. Enjoy the view; this is a place with one of the most breathtaking panoramas.

video of the climb https://youtu.be/x292nmGUQ0Y

Nice rocky trail in the woods. The end opens up to fields if you choose to take it uphill from the church.

The Blaarmolen is an old watermill on the Jeker River near Tongeren-Borgloon (Flemish Limburg) and forms an interesting part of the industrial heritage in the landscape surrounding the river. The mill is located on the Kevieweg near the De Kevie nature reserve and is a recognizable witness to centuries-old business activities that once used the Jeker river. The complex consists of the mill itself, outbuildings, and a so-called "woelkom" (a pond or channel) that formed part of the water management system around the mill. This pond regulated the water level and supplied the mill wheel with running water. This structure is still visible in the landscape, surrounded by meadows and tree growth. Historically, the Blaarmolen was used as a grain or corn mill, harnessing the power of the river to grind grain. Such mills were essential for local farming communities before modern energy sources were available, and farmers from the surrounding area brought their grain to the mill to be turned into flour. The Blaarmolen mill is recognized as a building heritage site by the Flanders Heritage Agency, demonstrating that it is not only an industrial monument but also of architectural and cultural-historical value to the region. The mill has been out of use since the Jeker river was diverted in 1968, but its structure and turning basin remain a striking feature in the landscape and recall the time when water power played a significant role in daily life.

Under the old railway bridge at the De Kevie nature reserve in Tongeren, a striking mural catches the eye of everyone entering the walking and recreation area. Designed and executed by British-Australian street artist James Cochran, better known by his stage name Jimmy C., the mural measures approximately 18 meters wide and 4 meters high. The artwork was installed as a tribute to Adeline Valkenborg, the founder of the Belgian Centre for Guide Dogs (BCG) in Tongeren. The centre celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020, and when regular festivities were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the initiators decided to create a lasting and socially meaningful artwork to commemorate her work and vision. The location under the railway bridge was carefully chosen. On the one hand, the place is literally and figuratively a bridge in the landscape, a passage for walkers and dogs near a dog park. On the other hand, it has symbolic value: Adeline herself was seen as a bridge-builder who paved the way for visually impaired people by establishing an institute that trains and connects guide dogs. The mural features, among other things, a portrait of Adeline with a guide dog and also integrates elements that visualize the journey of a scent hound from puppy to fully-fledged guide dog. The work functions not only as an artistic eye-catcher but also as an inspiring and educational element, raising visitors' awareness of the importance of guide dogs and the mission of the BCG. There are plans to place an information board with a QR code near the mural, directing passersby to information about Adeline and the BCG and how people can get involved, for example, as a foster family for puppies or by supporting the organization. This mural thus perfectly combines street art, social engagement, and local identity. In a place where people experience nature, relaxation, and history, an important story about independence, guidance, and inclusion also has space to be seen and read.

A large mural has been installed at the entrance gate under an old railway bridge in the De Kevie nature reserve (Tongeren) to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Belgian Guide Dog Centre. This mural is not just a random drawing but a meaningful work of art, commissioned by the centre and intended as a lasting tribute to Adeline Valkenborg, the founder of the Belgian Guide Dog Centre. The mural was designed by James Cochran, also known as Jimmy C, a British-Australian street artist internationally renowned for his large and detailed works. The mural covers an area of approximately 18 meters wide and 4 meters high, giving it a prominent position under the bridge near De Kevie. The choice of this location is symbolic, as the railway bridge is located near a dog park and is a frequent sight for both walkers and dog owners. Moreover, the bridge itself represents a metaphor for connection and guidance, which aligns with the mission of the Belgian Centre for Guide Dogs to support and connect people with visual impairments with their environment. The artwork thus combines nature, social function, and art experience. On the one hand, it is part of the experience value of De Kevie as a nature reserve, and on the other, it tells a story about the commitment to partnership and support of people with disabilities through their guide dogs. Adeline Valkenborg was a Belgian woman and the founder of the Belgian Centre for Guide Dogs (BCG vzw) in Tongeren. Born in 1959, she experienced a sudden, total loss of her sight at the age of 14, leaving her completely blind. Visually impaired herself and confronted with the daily challenges this entailed, Adeline noticed that there was no local supply of well-trained guide dogs in Belgium. In the 1980s, guide dogs were virtually impossible to find in Belgium, and people with visual impairments struggled to maintain the mobility that others take for granted. She decided to change this. Through acquaintances and contacts, she connected with the British organization Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and obtained her first guide dog, a Labrador named Snowy, to help her with her daily commute. This made a deep impression on her and gave her the idea to establish a Belgian guide dog training program. On March 15, 1990, Adeline officially founded the Belgian Guide Dog Center in Tongeren. The center partially followed the British training model, using English commands for the dogs, making it the first organization in Belgium to systematically train and pair guide dogs with people with visual impairments. Adeline saw the need for true independence and mobility in daily life, both for herself and for others with visual impairments. Guide dogs are not only tools for avoiding obstacles, but they also provide people with a sense of confidence, security, and social connection in a society that is typically highly visual. The center she founded offers these dogs free of charge to people with visual impairments, with careful training and long-term support. Her efforts meant that for the first time, visually impaired people in Belgium could, on a large scale and professionally, follow a program to become independent and actively participate in social life, together with a guide dog. Adeline Valkenborg remained involved with the center even when her health sometimes hampered her work, and she continued to advocate for the integration of visually impaired people into society. Her vision was always focused on growth and improvement of services so that as many people in need as possible could be helped. She passed away on June 16, 2016, at the age of 56, but the center still bears her name and continues to grow. To mark important milestones, such as the center's 30th anniversary, artworks (such as the mural at De Kevie) have been installed to permanently honor her work and memory.

At the starting point of the old Kevie tram line near the De Kevie nature reserve near Tongeren, Belgium, stands a striking wooden owl sculpture. This sculpture is an artistic element that is part of the walking experience and serves as a landmark for visitors exploring the historic route of the old tram line. The Kevie itself refers to the former tram line that ran through this region and is now part of walking and cycling networks that lead through nature and the surrounding countryside. The wooden owl has been described by hikers as a beautiful example of creative work in the landscape. It appeals to those who love art and nature and serves as a symbolic welcome to the old tram line. Although no extensive documentation about the artist or the exact date of creation is available in online sources, it is often mentioned by recreationists as a pleasant and memorable stop or landmark at the beginning of the route. The choice of an owl can be interpreted symbolically: in many cultures, the owl symbolizes wisdom, observation, and a connection with nature, which is well-suited to a walking route that runs through green spaces and along a historic transport route. The wooden material emphasizes the artwork's natural context and connects with the sense of tranquility and landscape that people seek when walking in De Kevie. The old tram line itself adds a historical dimension, as tram lines in many Flemish and Dutch regions were once important connections between villages and towns, and preserving the route as a walking and cycling route keeps that past alive in the present. Artwork, information panels, and rest stops will be placed along these paths to allow visitors to enjoy not only nature but also cultural and historical elements.

sector video https://youtu.be/lbKk-shnOyc