Heusden-Zolder Coal Mine – Heusden-Zolder Mining Heap loop from Vroegere mijnschacht 1

Running trails & routes

Heusden-Zolder Coal Mine – Heusden-Zolder Mining Heap loop from Vroegere mijnschacht 1

Moderate

runners

Heusden-Zolder Coal Mine – Heusden-Zolder Mining Heap loop from Vroegere mijnschacht 1

01:14

11.1km

120m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 1, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Vlaams Natuurreservaat Helderbeek-Terril

De Galgenberg

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.77 km

Headframe I

Highlight • Monument

The two shaft towers were built from 1924 (shaft I) and 1925 (shaft II), based on a design by Lemaire (Chatelineau), by the Luxembourg construction company Wurth. Made of metal trusswork according to the trestle type, with an open lift shaft (above the shaft) in front of both shaft muscles; two rearward-facing third legs. Metal arched roof. Due to the smaller useful shaft diameter (diameter 5 metres, compared to a diameter of 6 metres for shaft II), shaft trestle I only had two cable pulleys and a single lift shaft. While trestle I has been demolished and only this remains (see photos), shaft trestle II is being renovated and repurposed for an attractive purpose.

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1.86 km

"The Miner" - sculpture by Anto Jurkić

Highlight • Monument

With the large bronze statue ‘The Miner’, Limburg and the Heusden-Zolder mine site will gain a beautiful statue. A tribute to the miners, made by the famous Croatian artist Anto Jurkić. An image of a strong coal miner with a pickaxe high in the air. Two children are floating on the pickaxe. A powerful symbol and a call to pass on the mining history to posterity. The statue ‘The Miner’ was commissioned by a dynamic entrepreneur and investor: Mr. Tamer Cankurtaranoglu. He is currently the owner of the bathroom and the mine warehouses of the Zolder coal mine.

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2.17 km

Headframe II and reception building

Highlight • Monument

This treasure tower was built in 1924 by the Luxembourg company Wurth and was listed as a monument in 1993. A second shaft tower was demolished. This 'wide' shaft tower, almost 52 m high, is a fine example of metal truss work, with an open lift shaft above the shaft. In 1925, a reception building was built under the tower in concrete and steel. In these towers hung the mine lifts that transported the underground personnel and all the material and that brought the coal to the surface. Around the large drive wheels (8 m), the cable ran over a half turn, which carried a lift shaft at each end. The cable had exactly the right length that was needed: if lift 1 was at 0, then lift 2 was hanging at a depth of 800 m. Exactly halfway they crossed each other. 16 people could be transported per floor (5) (= 80 people per lift). In this way, 160 people were transported simultaneously during the postal exchange. The mine elevators also contained a tipping installation that transported the coal. Originally, the coal was brought up in small wagons. However, in 1957 a tipping installation was built: 13 tons of coal/container in 8 sec, which meant 1,176 tons of coal per hour!!

Source: visitlimburg.be/nl/wat-te-doen/schachttoren

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2.30 km

Heusden-Zolder Coal Mine

Highlight • Historical Site

New companies have now come to the old mine site and former offices, this is called reconversion or conversion.
The former bathroom or lavoir is now home to the Centre for Sustainable Building (CeDuBo), where anyone with building plans can go for advice.
The Ophaalmachineggebouw was restored. The CVO De Verdieping was integrated at the back. The Cultuurcentrum Muze was incorporated to the side and the central compressor hall housed ZLDR Luchtfabriek, a visitors centre about the mining past with party facilities between enormous compressors.
As in the past, there is still a 'multicultural' market on the newly constructed square every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, the former paydays of the miners, popularly known as the Turkenmarkt.

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5.84 km

Heusden Water Tower on De Galgenberg

Highlight • Monument

Here too, the water tower is on a mountain as you often see. Other examples: the water tower on the Klitsberg in Paal, the Balenberg in Baal and so on.

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7.71 km

Heusden-Zolder Mining Heap

Highlight • Natural Monument

Nature reserve 124 ha, 155 m above sea level. The mine spoil heap is located in an important open space on the western edge of the Kempens Plateau. The spoil heap is thus located in the valley of the Helderbeek, which belongs to the stream landscape of the Zwarte Beek. The spoil heap originated as a waste heap from the Zolder mine. At the time, the coal was separated from stones in the 'coal washer'. These were then transported to the spoil heap or spoil heap, first by a narrow-gauge train and later on a conveyor belt. In 1997, the spoil heap was sold by N.V. Mijnen to the Ministry of the Flemish Community. The heap was then sown and classified as a nature reserve. The top of the spoil heap is located at 155 m above sea level and extends 85 m above the surroundings. The slopes on the south side of the mountain have a special microclimate, which warms up quickly. This is why there is even Mediterranean flora and plants that like dry to moderately moist soils, such as liverwort.
The top is a three-star spot that no one should miss. With the 'spotter' you bring the surrounding landscape closer. View photos and videos and learn more about the mining past. In clear weather you have a fascinating view of the surroundings and you can see for miles. At the foot lies Lindeman, one of the first garden districts in Limburg. You can enjoy yourself in one of the cozy Italian taverns.
The slag heap is accessible from sunrise to sunset.
Dogs allowed only on a leash.

Source: visitlimburg.be/nl/wat-te-doen/mijnterril-heusden-zolder

Some tips:

- There is a dog walking area at the start.
- It is best to stay on the larger paths, smaller roads on the maps are often closed these days, even outside the slag heap domain. - Go to both "tops", on the first one there is no overview of what you see in the distance, on the second one there is.
- Combine in the spring with a walk in the small nature reserve Galgenberg.

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7.74 km

View Indicator on Helderbeek-Terril

Highlight • Viewpoint

Near the second top of the slag heap, which is a small descent and ascent from the first (the star spot), you can orientate yourself thanks to this viewpoint. It has various locations indicated that you can see in good weather. Always handy to know exactly what you see lying there!

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8.85 km

Three-Star Point, Summit of Heusden-Zolder Spoil Tip

Highlight • Summit

At the top of the slag heap that you reach via the footpath from the car park (on the other side there is also a climb that you can do afterwards) you will find a landscape star sign with information. After all, the top of the Heusden-Zolder slag heap was rewarded with three stars just like that. The three-star spot is located at an altitude of 155 m above sea level. The summit extends 85 meters above the surrounding area. More about the mining terril Heusden-Zolder and that top: visitlimburg.be/nl/wat-te-doen/mijnterril-heusden-zolder

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11.1 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types