Things to Do around Genk

Genk offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features over 1,100 routes, with an average rating of 4.46 out of 5 stars from komoot users. Its landscape combines transformed industrial heritage with natural areas like the Hoge Kempen National Park.

The Hoge Kempen National Park is a primary destination for hiking in Genk, offering over 40 walking loops up to 8.7 miles (14 kilometers) in length. De Maten nature reserve, part of the De Wijers pond landscape, also provides peaceful walking opportunities. For more details, refer to the Hiking around Genk guide.

Genk is known for its unique "Cycling Through Water" experience in Bokrijk, where riders cycle with the water surface at eye level. Additionally, the upcoming "Cycling between the Tailings" project will offer 360° views between iconic former mining slag heaps. An extensive network of cycling nodes makes route planning easy.

Genk features two all-year mountain biking trails. A 9.9-mile (16-kilometer) green route is located around the Kattevennen recreational area. A larger 26.7-mile (43-kilometer) red route connects various woodlands, including Kattevennen, Heibos, and Horensberg, and is part of a broader MTB network. More information is available in the MTB Trails around Genk guide.

Genk's main natural attractions include the Hoge Kempen National Park, Belgium's only National Park, with its heathlands, forests, and panoramic viewpoints. The De Wijers Pond Landscape, featuring areas like De Maten nature reserve with its 35 ponds, is another significant natural feature. Former mining sites and terrils have also been transformed into accessible green spaces.

Yes, Genk offers routes suitable for beginners and those seeking easier options. The Molenvijverpark in the city center provides pleasant, accessible strolls. Within the Hoge Kempen National Park, shorter walking loops are available, and the extensive cycling network allows for flat, gentle rides. Komoot routes can be filtered by difficulty to find suitable options.

Yes, komoot offers several guides for outdoor activities in Genk. These include Hiking around Genk, Cycling around Genk, MTB Trails around Genk, Road Cycling Routes around Genk, Running Trails around Genk, and Gravel biking around Genk.

The Hoge Kempen National Park is Belgium's only National Park, spanning 12,000 hectares. It features extensive hiking trails, heathlands, and panoramic viewpoints. The park's landscape includes elevated coniferous forests, heathland, and large ponds formed by sand and gravel extraction. Kattevennen is a key gateway to the park near Genk.

Genk offers more than 1,100 routes for various outdoor activities on komoot. These routes have been shared by over 49,000 visitors and collectively hold an average rating of 4.46 out of 5 stars. The available sports include hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, jogging, and gravel biking.

Yes, Genk's transformed industrial past offers unique elevated viewpoints. The former mining terrils (slag heaps) provide high vantage points and distinct landscapes for exploration. Within the Hoge Kempen National Park, there are also panoramic viewpoints overlooking the heathlands and forests.

The Genk tourism office, Dienst Toerisme Genk, can be reached by phone at +32 (0)89 65 44 90. Alternatively, the city of Genk's customer contact center, Genk3600, is available at +32 (0)89 65 3600 or via email at info@genk.be.

The De Wijers Pond Landscape is a distinctive area characterized by numerous ponds, particularly known for the "Cycling through Water" experience in Bokrijk. Within this landscape, De Maten is a nature reserve featuring 35 ponds, diverse habitats like dunes, peat bogs, and heathlands, supporting various aquatic life and water birds.