Embark on an unforgettable hike through the historic Limburg mining region. The Regional Trail Limburg Mines offers a unique, multi-day hiking experience over 179 km, where you can enjoy the rich history, breathtaking nature, and innovative repurposing of the mining sites. Discover, as you walk from slag heap to pithead, the industrial heritage, the people who live and work there, and the lush nature that connects it all.
What is a Regional Trail (Streek-GR)? Long-Distance Trails are hiking routes that span large distances. A Regional Trail usually forms a loop with a strong (thematic) regional character. You can recognize the Regional Trail by its yellow-red markings: two horizontal stripes, yellow on top, red below. GR trails are found all over Europe, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and from the North Cape to Gibraltar. Learn more about the GR trails here.
Hiking the Regional Trail Limburg Mines?
Do you want to discover all aspects of the Limburg mining region? Then we send you on the entire 179 km hiking loop.
It's also perfectly possible to divide it into manageable stages or multiple hiking weekends! The 8 ideal stages have already been worked out for you. Each stage offers a unique experience and can be hiked individually or as part of the complete route.
Discover the individual stages for detailed information on each day hike, including route descriptions, sights, and practical tips.
Accessibility
- Start and end points of the route are easily accessible by public transport. Genk train station is an ideal starting point for both the entire route and shorter sections.
- Parking facilities are available at the main starting points.
Never get lost!
- The route is marked in both directions with yellow-red markings on a white hexagonal background.
- With the Regional Trail Limburg Mines Route Guide (available only in Dutch), you get detailed maps and thematic background information that enhance the route experience!
- Download the complete route on GPS/GPX or place individual stages as a gpx-file on your hiking GPS or smartphone.
Where to stay?
Various accommodations along the route, from hotels to B&Bs and campsites. For an overview and reservations, take a quick look at our list of lodging addresses. The stages are chosen so that there is a soft bed nearby after each day of hiking.
Don't forget?
- Good hiking shoes, plenty of water, and (Limburg) snacks for the road
- The Regional Trail Limburg Mines Route Guide (available only in Dutch)
- The hashtag #altijdlimburg to share your unforgettable experiences with us on social media
How did the Regional Trail Limburg Mines come about?
The Regional Trail Limburg Mines is the result of a collaboration between Grote Routepaden vzw and Visit Limburg. With the help of more than 300 GR volunteers, this route has been carefully developed, marked, and promoted to offer hikers a unique and high-quality hiking experience.
As a marketing organization, Visit Limburg is committed to promoting Limburg as a top tourist destination. With attention to detail and a warm welcome, we create extraordinary experiences. Our cycling and hiking products introduce you to the authentic heritage and exceptional nature of hospitable Limburg.
Through the collaboration with Grote Routepaden vzw for the Regional Trail Limburg Mines, we let you be charmed by the warm Limburg mining region. Plan an unforgettable hiking trip to Limburg, where history, nature, and innovation go hand in hand.