Thorpark, Nature area and industrial district in Genk, Belgium
Thorpark is a mixed area in Genk where old mining land meets new workspaces for energy and manufacturing. Walking around, you see modern buildings set among green slopes, old mine structures, and wide paths that lead toward heather and woodland.
The land belonged to the Waterschei coal mine, which operated for decades and shaped the surrounding community. After the mine closed, the site was gradually turned into a center for research and business, while keeping several older buildings as reminders of its industrial start.
Visitors can still see how the site carries the memory of mining work, with old shafts and machinery left visible among the newer offices. The Thor Experience and Mijndepot give a face to that past through films, objects, and tours that show what life was like for the people who worked here.
This area is easy to explore on foot, with clear trails that connect the industrial buildings to the natural surroundings. It works best on a dry day, and you can start from the central reception point to get a sense of the main walking directions.
The large heaps of mining waste, called terrils, now act as lookouts over the surrounding heathland. From their tops, you can trace how the industrial pits, modern offices, and open nature all sit side by side in one view.
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