{"id":6092,"date":"2025-06-24T15:03:47","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T15:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/be-nature.be\/be-mine-opens-unique-experience-trail-under-coal-washes-and-starts-construction-of-sporenpark\/"},"modified":"2025-07-15T10:41:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T10:41:19","slug":"be-mine-opens-unique-experience-trail-under-coal-washes-and-starts-construction-of-sporenpark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/be-nature.be\/en\/be-mine-opens-unique-experience-trail-under-coal-washes-and-starts-construction-of-sporenpark\/","title":{"rendered":"be-MINE opens unique experience trail under coal washes and starts construction of Sporenpark"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

be-MINE opens unique experience trail under coal washes and starts construction of Sporenpark<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Tourist trail under coal mining sites officially opened at be-MINE in Beringen<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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. <\/strong><\/p>

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. <\/p>

What makes the path so special is its location: it leads under a 10,000 m\u00b2 covered outdoor space, supported by more than 500 concrete columns.<\/strong> This imposing structure – the pedestal of the coal laundry complex – gives walkers and cyclists an exceptional perspective of Beringen’s industrial heritage. <\/p>

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. <\/p>

\u2018Visitors cycle, as it were, through the industrial skeleton of the mine site,\u2019 says Karolien Sas, general manager of be-MINE. <\/strong>\u2018This is not just a path, it is an experience that makes the grandeur of the coal washes tangible.\u2019 <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/article>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Accessibility and tourism connection<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The new path connects to the iconic cycling route \u201cKempenroute\u201d<\/strong> and the Limburg cycling route network.<\/strong> In future, it will also act as the western gateway to the Kolenspoor, t<\/strong>he 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. <\/p>

“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.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Temporary walking path with information panels<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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. <\/p>

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. <\/p>

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<\/strong>: “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.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Smart light: red for bats<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t