Genk & its surroundings

Always wondered how energy is created from coal? Or why the mineworkers at Waterschei had to drink milk when they came up from underground?

At the end of the interactive ‘Energy tour’, you’ll have all the answers. The guide combines mesmerising mining anecdotes with fascinating facts and figures about energy. At the same time you are allowed an exclusive look behind the scenes inside Thor Central, the main building on the Thor Park site. Don’t expect to yawn your way round Thor Central. This tour is full of surprises and it will leave you bursting with... energy!

Just say Watt - Thor Central Energy Tour

Thor, the 93-ha, state-of-the-art technology park, is home to innovative companies and organizations, thinkers and doers. Thor is well on its way to becoming the technology city of the future. You can explore the ever-expanding and ever-evolving site in the company of a guide who will tell you the fascinating history of energy, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Thor Park site tour

Werner Callebaut is a passionate beer and chocolate lover and took a course in 'Chocolate Processor and Zythology (Professional Beer Connoisseur)' a few years ago. With Bierolade, he has focused in recent years on creating successful combinations between the two Belgian top products. 4 to 5 beers and chocolates are combined for a delicious tasting. The beers are less well-known regional beers from Limburg such as the Perron beers from Lanaken, but of course also the Kompel beers. The pralines are from the local artisan chocolatier.

Discover and experience this unique taste sensation of beer and chocolate, because the perfect match exists.

Bierolade

Together with the Rangers you can discover the National Park in a relaxed, sometimes active, but always surprising way. Most activities are walks, but you can also book a Ranger on bicycle or horse. There are adapted activities for people with disabilities.
Take a beautiful nature walk from Thor Park, via the National Nature Park to the top of the Terril van Waterschei.

Walking with Rangers

Challenge your colleagues and friends in all kinds of team assignments from the daily life of the miners in a team building version.
The activities are very diverse and always linked to the mining activities. Afterwards the teams can discuss their achievements with a Kompel beer.

Kompel Games

The Steenmannetjespad at Thor Park has been given a new look. The popular walking route in Waterschei has been expanded with new cairns and there is now also an interactive app for children. In it, "Little Stone" takes them on the road, all the way to the top of the slag heap. For the project, the City of Genk collaborated with students from the LUCA School of Arts, the Kempen and Maasland Regional Landscape and the Agency for Nature and Forest.

The Steenmannetjespad has existed since 2013 and is 2 km long. The common thread are the cairns, which are stone stacks that show you the shortest way from Thor Park to the top of the slag heap. Those who dare to climb up will be treated to a beautiful view.

visitgenk.be/steenmannetjespad

In addition to the electric bicycles and/or inline skates, residents and visitors of Genk can now also discover the city with an electric scooter. You can rent an E-step at the rental point at Thor Central at Thor Park.

If you depart from Thor Central at Thor Park, you can choose from four themed routes:

• Fietsen door het Waterroute
• Blotevoetenpadroute
• Genkse Mijnwerkersroute
• Nationaal Parkroute

The routes are adapted to the reach of the E-steps and follow the Limburg cycling route network.

www.zoefsteps.be

On the foundations of the mining past and the former zoo of Zwartberg (Genk), a project is evolving that transports you into the unique vision of artist Koen Vanmechelen and his life's work in terms of identity, fertility & biocultural diversity. A garden of order and chaos, an arena of culture and nature. Vanmechelen's wonder lab.

As you find your way in the 24-hectare park through an open-air exhibition with many of his (living) artworks and installations, universal societal topics such as diversity and human rights are made concrete and turned into conversation pieces.

This adventurous tour immerse you in the fascinating history of Waterschei's mines. Don't just watch and listen to these interesting stories but discover the past with all your senses. Experience how it feels to be a miner!

Take the challenge and climb the more than 60 meter high shaft block!

Once above, you enjoy beautiful views over the green area of Limburg. 

www.c-mine.be/expedition

One of the six entrance gates of the National Park Hoge Kempen, an extensive natural park in Genk of more than 57m² , where you can walk, cycle and relax with your family.

But there is more! In the middle of all the green, you can find a giant ball of stars, called the Cosmodrome. In this ball of stars you can learn everything about the space and the galaxy. 

So if you want to relax in the afternoon and want to learn something, then Kattevennen is the place to be!

www.kattevennen.be

Do you want to enjoy the green environment with some speed? Or rather sightseeing?

Rent a Vespa and get a few outlined routes to make sure you do not miss the most beautiful places in the city of Genk!

www.vespadiscovery.com

Do you like football? Then you probably know that Genk and football are closely connected. And here’s a way to explore the secrets of football in an interactive way. Film clips, soundscapes, pictures, interviews, displays… GoalMine offers you a trip into the world of football that is both playful and immersive. Are you ready for the kick-off?