be-MINE opens unique experience trail under coal washes and starts construction of Sporenpark
Tourist trail under coal mining sites officially opened at be-MINE in Beringen
The former mining site be-MINE in Beringen is once again taking big steps in its redevelopment. From today, visitors can experience the impressive heritage up close via a brand-new cycling and walking path that literally runs under the historic coal washeries. At the same time, be-MINE is starting the construction of the Sporenpark, a new green zone connecting heritage and nature experience.
The new 300-metre-long path was built on the site of former railway lines, on which coal wagons once transported coal from laundries to the Kolenhaven. Today, visitors – on foot or soon by bicycle – can follow this historic route along a route that is unique in Belgium.
What makes the path so special is its location: it leads under a 10,000 m² covered outdoor space, supported by more than 500 concrete columns. This imposing structure – the pedestal of the coal laundry complex – gives walkers and cyclists an exceptional perspective of Beringen’s industrial heritage.
The path has been constructed with a non-slip metal grid lying on top of the original tracks. This approach not only ensures safety, but also preserves the remaining heritage and makes it visible. Moreover, the path connects to the existing tourist cycle path towards the coal port, which has been in use since 2017.
‘Visitors cycle, as it were, through the industrial skeleton of the mine site,’ says Karolien Sas, general manager of be-MINE. ‘This is not just a path, it is an experience that makes the grandeur of the coal washes tangible.’
Accessibility and tourism connection
The new path connects to the iconic cycling route “Kempenroute” and the Limburg cycling route network. In future, it will also act as the western gateway to the Kolenspoor, the cycle route linking the Limburg mining sites. Along the route, space is provided for a covered bicycle shed with room for 200 bicycles. This will also make the trail a practical base for those who want to explore the various projects on the site on foot. In terms of tourism, this is an important new development at this mine site and was therefore also awarded by Tourism Flanders.
“A cycling experience like this fits perfectly with our ambition to make Flanders a real cycling destination, both for the occasional cyclist and fanatics. Both for cyclists on the junctions and cycle tourists on the Kempen route, be-MINE will become a valuable rest and experience spot,” says Administrator General of Tourism Flanders Peter De Wilde.
Temporary walking path with information panels
Although the path is designed as cycling infrastructure, it will only be accessible to walkers in the first phase. A construction zone on the south side of the site currently prevents connection to the network towards the centre of Beringen. Once these works are completed, the cycle path will also be fully opened.
In the meantime, visitors can explore the trail on foot. Informative panels have been placed along the path, outlining a timeline of the redevelopment of the mine site: from the mine closure in 1989 to today. The panels also shed light on future projects such as be-NATURE. Moreover, it brings visitors today to places never before accessible.
Limburg investment company LRM, which as shareholder (49%) together with Ciril and Van Roey Vastgoed is directing the transformation of the site from dark grey to a beautiful green place full of biodiversity and urban functions, is also pleased with this milestone. Tom Vanham, CEO LRM: “There are few places in the world where a heritage site is undergoing such an impressive transformation as be-MINE in Beringen. And this new experience trail involves residents, entrepreneurs and tourists in this unique heritage story in a special way. Moreover, this project underlines our ambitions to generate not only financial, but also social returns.”
Smart light: red for bats
A striking element of the project is the red lighting along the path and in the future park. This light colour was deliberately chosen: it does not disturb the orientation of bats, unlike white or blue light. The old mine site is home to several species of bats, and preserving their habitat is an important objective within the redevelopment.
‘We want to show that nature and heritage can go together perfectly,’ says Sas. ‘The protection of vulnerable species, such as bats, is a key focus of this.’
The Agency for Nature and Forests is also pleased: “With the Sporenpark and the new experience trail, be-MINE shows how nature and heritage can reinforce each other. This project brings biodiversity and experience together at a unique historical site, and turns the old mine site back into a lively and accessible environment for people and animals.”
Launch of the SporenPark: nature as connecting elemenp
Simultaneously with the opening of the path, construction of the Sporenpark will also start. Located at the front of the coal washes, this park forms an important new green zone on the site. Old railway lines will be made visible again there among grasslands, flower strips and footpaths. The park is a continuation of previous greening work already carried out at be-MINE, and is part of a broader vision of experience and biodiversity.
BuroLandscape wrote the master plan for be-MINE. “For this sub-project, DELVA was involved for the concept and design of the Sporenpark and the historical core. We translated that vision into an elaborated file that ties in with the bigger picture,” explains Pieter Daenen of BuroLandschap. “The raised cycle path through the future park will soon form a clear line of experience on the north side of the site. The park reinterprets the old railway lines in a contemporary way and combines it with innovative greening. We proposed a unique vegetation concept that focuses on biodiversity, experience and climate resilience. A place where nature, heritage and future come together.”
Designer DELVA is also pleased to see their concept come to life step by step: ‘Nature and heritage come together in a silent revolution. Between steel and stone, space is created for growth, meeting and experiencing. Green grows where history flourishes,’ says Steven Delva. In the next phase, the park will literally grow further inside the core of the building, via vertical greening in the coal washes. This is part of the further implementation of the be-NATURE project.
“With be-MINE, Limburg is showing how heritage and innovation can go hand in hand. Thanks to LSM’s targeted investments, industrial relics are not only preserved, but reinvented as places of experience, nature and future. The new experience trail and the start of the Sporenpark are brilliant examples: here, visitors literally step through the past, on their way to a sustainable future. LSM continues to support this unique redevelopment as a leverage project for the whole region,” Governor Jos Lantmeters explained the financial support by LSM.
This project was realised with the support of LSM and Tourism Flanders.
- Contractor: BMS
- Designer: Buro Landschap in cooperation with DELVA
Read some news articles in the media:
- Toeristisch pad onder kolenwasserijen geopend op be-MINE in Beringen: voorlopig enkel voor voetgangers door werven op mijnsite | VRT NWS: nieuws
- Fiets nu waar vroeger de kolenwagons rolden: be-MINE opent belevingspad onder enorme kolenwasserijen | Beringen | hln.be
- ‘Fietsen onder de kolenwasserijen’ open, maar voorlopig enkel voor wandelaars | HBVL