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National park · Genk, Limburg
Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen
The first national park of Flandres, opened in 2006, with more than 12,000 hectares of pine woodlands and heaths. In Genk, the entrances are Kattevennen and Thor Park.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen
The Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen opened in 2006 as the first national park of Flandres. It started with about 6,000 hectares and today exceeds 12,700, spread over ten municipalities in Limburg. About three quarters are woodlands, mainly pine, and a significant part is heathland, as well as dunes, ponds, former sand mines and spoil heaps from the coal mines.
The park sits on the Campine plateau, which ends in a step of about 45 metres above the Mosa valley. It is organised into entrance gates, each with parking, waymarked trails and, at several, a visitor reception. In Genk there are two: Kattevennen and Thor Park.
Kattevennen is the entrance with a cosmos theme. It has the Cosmodrome, an astronomy centre, a leisure area, a restaurant and forest trails. Near the Cosmodrome is the Bliksemtrap, a viewpoint over the woods.
Thor Park occupies the former Waterschei mine. The Thor Central reception centre shows a 13-minute film about the site's history, and an augmented-reality app tells stories of nature, mining and technology along the route.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 4 hours for a hike in Kattevennen; a full day to combine several entrances.
Best time
From May to October. The heather usually blooms from mid‑August to mid‑September. On sunny weekends the trails get busier; prefer weekdays.
How to get there
Kattevennen and Thor Park are about 4 km from Genk centre. De Lijn buses serve both entrances; by car there are signposted parking areas.
Tip
Bring water, a snack and walking shoes. The park has trails of various lengths and a long-distance route. Trail maps are sold at the park receptions.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen
What are the park entrances?
There are about ten entrance gates spread across Limburg. In Genk are Kattevennen and Thor Park; in Maasmechelen, Mechelse Heide and Terhills; and there are others in As, Lanaken, Zutendaal and other municipalities.
When does the heather bloom?
It usually blooms from mid-August to mid-September, turning the heaths purple. The flowering depends on the weather each year.
Does the park charge an entrance fee?
The trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Some attractions at the entrances, such as the Thor Central film and the Cosmodrome, have separate tickets.
What is the Cosmodrome?
It's a center dedicated to astronomy and space, in Kattevennen, the park entrance with a cosmic theme.