Kolenspoor, Heritage railway in Genk and Maasmechelen, Belgium.
The Kolenspoor is a former railway line extending across around 57 kilometers through Genk and Maasmechelen in eastern Belgium. The route passes through various landscapes while connecting different towns and communities in the region.
The line dates to 1989 and evolved from the former 21B railway that once carried miners, coal, and supplies to the Limburgian mines during active operations. This transformation shows how older transport infrastructure was repurposed for new uses.
The route passes through an area shaped by coal mining heritage, revealing how extraction work influenced where people settled and how communities developed. Today, visitors traverse the same path for outdoor activities, with remnants of industrial infrastructure marking this past use.
The route now functions as a cycling and walking path with rental stations, clear signage, and multiple entry points across different municipalities. Visitors can explore the route in sections and choose from various starting locations.
The locomotive collection included 'Bebert', which held the distinction of being Belgium's last operational steam locomotive until 1981. This engine stands as a symbol of the end of an entire railway era in the country.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
