FAQs

Are you all ready to put on your walking shoes or do you still have some questions? On this page you will find the most frequently asked questions about the Walk for Pink Ribbon.

Is your question not listed? Please contact us via the contact form.

Registrations

Walks

Practical

Registrations

When can I sign up for the Walk for Pink Ribbon?

add remove

From February 22, 2024, you can sign up for the second edition of the Walk for Pink Ribbon, which will take place on Whit Monday, May 20, 2024. You can register individually, as a team or with your company.

What is the closing date for registration?

add remove

It's possible to register until the day of the event itself. So register until Whit Monday, May 20, 2024. It's even possible to register on the spot at the start site.

How much is the participation fee?

add remove

To join the Walk for Pink Ribbon, you pay €15 per participant for the 3.5 km, 5 km, 10 km and 15 km walks. The 35 km trail walk costs €25 per participant. Children under 16 walk for free. 

Special rates are provided for members of Wandelsport Vlaanderen: € 10 for the 3.5 km, 5 km, 10 km and 15 km walks and € 15 for the 35 km trail walk.

This price includes participation in the walking event as well as snacks and drinks at departure and arrival. Two and three refreshment points will be provided for the 15 km and 35 km walks, respectively. These supplies are also included in the participation price.

It is still possible to register on site on 20 May 2024.

What payment options are available?

add remove
You can pay in three different ways:
1. With your credit card (VISA/mastercard). The payment system will always request your CVC code. Payments must be confirmed using a card reader, Bancontact or a QR code.
2. With your Maestro card. The payment system will always request your CVC code i.e. the last 3 digits of your card number (17 digits). Payments must be confirmed usinga card reader.
3. You can also pay with PayPal.

Will I receive a tax certificate when I sign up?

add remove
Signing up for the Walk for Pink Ribbon doesn’t come with a tax certificate. However, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the Pink Ribbon Fund on the webpage Make a donation. Attention: donations are only tax deductible as of €40. After a number of days this donation will also show up on your individual fundraising page.

How can I sign up for the Walk for Pink Ribbon?

add remove
1. Go to https://pinksupport.pink-ribbon.be/event/walk-for-pink-ribbon-en
2. Click the ‘Register’ button in the top right hand corner.
3. Complete the registration procedure. Fill out the requested personal details and select a profile picture.
4. Pay the entrance fee and make a donation right away if you’re so inclined.
5. Your registration is now up! 

Important! Children under 16 walk for free, but must be co-registered in advance. You can register your child(ren) under 16 for free at registration.

Walks

Where is the start of the walks?

add remove

The start of the walks is at National Park Visitor Center @Terhills.

Are all the routes signposted?

add remove

The routes will be clearly signposted. You can follow the pink arrows with the Pink Ribbon logo.

Can I download a plan of the 5 hikes?

add remove

TBC

Is it possible to leave the walk during the trail?

add remove

Yes you can, you can return to the starting point at any time.

If you do the 35km route, at some point you can choose to follow the 10km or 15km route to shorten the route.

Are dogs allowed to walk with you in the park? Are they welcome in Maasmechelen Village?

add remove
Yes you can bring dogs, even your faithful four-legged friend deserves a relaxing day out. Just keep in mind the following rules: 
Dogs accompanied by their owners are welcome everywhere in the park and Village, as long as they are kept on a leash.
If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior, we ask that it be muzzled.
We ask owners to leave every area in the park the Village neat and tidy when leaving.
Always have the necessary items with you to ensure the cleanliness of the park and Village.
Forgotten plastic bags? You can find them at the Tourist Information Center, across the Essentiel boutique in the Village.
Be extra careful with dogs that are sick, unvaccinated or in heat.
Owners are not only responsible for their dog's well-being, but are also liable for damage and/or injuries caused by their dog(s) to other guests, animals and/or property.
The organization may refuse entry to dogs that harass other guests or if the above rules are not followed.

Are the hikes tough?

add remove

The 3.5 km and 5 km walks are relatively easy. They go through the Tuinwijk-Eisden mining site and are fully paved and therefore accessible to all. 

Keep in mind that the 10 km and 15 km walks in National Park Hoge Kempen are on semi-paved paths and steep in places. 

The 35 km trail walk has a high level of difficulty and is provided for experienced hikers.

Is there a time limit?

add remove
There is no time limit, you can start from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the latest. We ask to finish before 5:30 p.m., then we will close the Walk for Pink Ribbon day.

Please note: For the 35 km trail walk, it is important to know that the last departure time is at 9am. We also recommend starting the 10 km and 15 km routes no later than 12h, and starting the 3.5 km and 5 km routes no later than 2pm. Remember that you can start any of the walks until 3pm at the latest.

Can I choose from the 5 different walks?

add remove
Depending on how many km you want to walk, you can do several walks during the Walk for Pink Ribbon, you can choose between 3.5 km, 5 km, 10 km, 15 km and 35 km.

Can I also run down the trail during the Walk for Pink Ribbon, or only walk?

add remove
The area is open to both walkers and runners.

Can I cycle the course during the Walk for Pink Ribbon?

add remove
No, the area is only open to walkers and runners, no cycling is allowed.

Is it possible to do the walks with a (baby) stroller?

add remove
The 3.5 km and 5 km routes are entirely on flat and paved roads. These routes are therefore accessible to all.

I have difficulty walking, can I join the walks?

add remove

We recommend one of the short walks (3.5 km - 5 km). These routes are fully paved and therefore accessible to all.

How do I recognize volunteers (from Wandelsport Vlaanderen) along the way?

add remove
Volunteers can be identified by fluorescent vests with the Pink Ribbon logo.

I lost my child during the hike, are there any landmarks provided along the way?

add remove
In the Village: statue of Manneke Pis

In the Park: main entrance National Park Visitor Center

Volunteers are also provided at various points during the walk, recognizable by a fluorescent vest with the Pink Ribbon logo on it. We also provide start/registration wristbands for children where parents can put their cell phone data. (Maasmechelen Village)

Practical

Can I have my sports bag and/or backpack taken into storage?

add remove

TBC (Maasmechelen Village)

Where is the start and finish area of the Walk for Pink Ribbon?

add remove

The start of the walks is at National Park Visitor Center @Terhills.

Where are the restrooms?

add remove

There will be adequate sanitary facilities at the starting point at the National Park Visitor Center, follow the 'toilets' arrows. 

On the routes through Tuinwijk-Eisden mining site, toilets will be available at cafés/Miners Museum/Church.

For the routes through National Park Hoge Kempen, a total of three supply points with toilets are provided.

Is there a place to get something to drink or eat?

add remove

Thirsty or hungry? At the start, your unique QR code will be scanned and you will receive some snacks and drinks to give you energy for the Walk for Pink Ribbon. 

Before or after the walk(s), you can also visit the cafeteria at National Park Visitor Center @Terhills.

May I provide my own supplies? May I picnic?

add remove
Bringing your own picnic is certainly allowed as well as picnicking, both on the terrace and on the hiking grounds. In fact, you will find several picnic benches on the hiking area that are perfect for a tasty get-together.

Note! If you
would like to picnic on the terrace near the reception desk, we ask you to purchase drinks and not to bring your own.

Where can I park and is it free?

add remove

Free parking for cars is provided for the Walk for Pink Ribbon at the Decathlon parking lot, Kolenmijn Limburg-Maasland 3, 3630 Maasmechelen. Our parking attendants will gladly assist you upon arrival.

Each parking lot is equipped with electric charging stations. Take exit 32 off the E314, follow the signs to Leisure Valley. At the traffic circle, follow the signs to Leisure Valley and Maasmechelen Village.

If this parking lot is full, the parking attendants will direct you to the other free parking lots of Maasmechelen Village.

Is there bicycle parking? If so, where?

add remove
There are bicycle parking facilities at the entrance of National Park Hoge Kempen.

How do I get to the Walk for Pink Ribbon by public transportation?

add remove
Easily accessible from Genk train station, where cabs and buses will take you to Maasmechelen Village. For more information and tickets, click on the buttons below.

Train
Bus

There is a bus service between Maasmechelen Village and Hasselt or Genk. Bus line No. 44 leaves from the stations of Hasselt and Genk and takes you to the nearest stop "Eisden Maasmechelen Village" in 40 to 60 minutes. Consult www.delijn.be for more information on bus schedules. A day pass costs €7.5, which allows unlimited travel within the De Lijn network. For more information, contact De Lijn customer service +32 (0)70 220 200.

Cab
For more information about cab transportation to Maasmechelen Village please call CityTax Laoneke on +32 (0)89 235 657.

Is there a children's playground?

add remove
Yes definitely, there is a mine themed playground for hours of fun for small and big kids. You can keep an eye on them from the terrace.

Can I spend the night?

add remove
Would you like to stay somewhere that also advises you about the Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen? You can do so at the National Park lodges. They are located near the park, they sell walking and cycling maps and offer the necessary suggestions. Info on Hotels, B&Bs, vacation homes, group accommodations, campsites and recreation parks and RV parks can be found here: Overnight| National Park (nationaalparkhogekempen.be)

For wheelchair-friendly places to stay, visit this site: people-with-disabilities