Groete Routepaden in Belgium has announced a new 179km trail that connects seven former mining sites.
Groete Routepaden is a non-profit organisation in Belgium run by volunteers and led by a Board of Directors. It has five local hubs – one in each province – to ensure all trails are marked. They also update the routes where necessary, organise guided walking tours and contribute to the general management of the organisation.
The latest route is called the SGR Limburgse Mijnen, or Limburg Mines, a walking route through the Limburg mining region and connecting former mines at Beringen, Zolder, Houthalen, Zwartberg, Waterschei, Winterslag and Eisden.
Limburg is in northeast Belgium, on the border with the Netherlands.
The organisation said a careful restoration transformed these industrial sites into lively new centres. Between these sites are forests, nature reserves and water features in Limburg, and the route incorporates climbing several slag heaps with panoramic views.
The route can be walked in eight days, and as there are lots of communities along and close to the route, there are plenty of accommodation options.
A 184-page guide to the route is available online for €18.
