On Whit Monday, May 29 it's the very first edition of the Walk for Pink Ribbon. Maasmechelen Village, Wandelsport Vlaanderen and Pink Ribbon are joining forces to organize our first walk in the fight against breast cancer. Sign up and come with the whole family to enjoy the beautiful nature that the Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen has to offer, together with the various tourist attractions. Before or after hiking, you can enjoy outlet shopping center Maasmechelen Village with its 100 different boutiques atyour leisure. The ideal day trip if you ask us.
Walk for Pink Ribbon
Walk with us on Whit Monday, May 29, 2023, along one of three diverse walks (3.6 km - 5.4 km - 9.5 km) through the beautiful landscape of the 'Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen'. This year, Pink Ribbon is collaborating with Wandelsport Vlaanderen and Maasmechelen Village for the event of the year, the very first Walk for Pink Ribbon that helps prevent breast cancer.
Because, did you know that...
1 in 3 cancer diagnoses can be avoided by living a healthy and balanced lifestyle? By exercising at least 30 minutes every day, you're already doing great. What are you still waiting for to participate in the first Walk for Pink Ribbon?
Sign up for €15 per person (children under 12 walk for free), support the fight against breast cancer and receive an awesome goodie bag full of snacks and keepsakes.
Together we tell breast cancer to take a hike, as there are currently as many as 100,000 patients fighting the disease in our country. With the money raised from this wonderful walk, Pink Ribbon will fund concrete projects aimed at prevention, detection and psychosocial care of breast cancer patients.
Every step counts!
Practical
Smart ways to Maasmechelen
Avoid unnecessary stress and take public transportation. Every hour there is a bus (No. 45), from the train stations in Genk or Hasselt and it will take you to Terhills. Check the timetable at www.delijn.be
Park for free and enjoy a carefree day
Take exit 32 off the E314, follow the signs to Leisure Valley. At the roundabout, follow the signs to Leisure Valley and Maasmechelen Village. Park for free in the provided parking lot Kolemijn Limburg -Maaslaan 3 (parking Decathlon).
Timing
The start and finish area is located at the new event arena right next to Maasmechelen Village (behind cinema Euroscoop). You can start walking between 10:30 am and 4 pm. Walk at your own pace and choose which walk(s) you would like to do, but make sure you arrive at 17h30 at the latest. The starting and finishing points are the same for all trails.
What are you still waiting for?
Trails
Terhills, be surprised by a special piece of nature in Flanders. A quarter of a century ago, the Eisden coal mine was still working at full capacity here. Today, this landscape consists mainly of mountains and lakes with spectacular panoramas. Be blown away by the exceptional scenery, mining heritage and so much more.
Through the app 'Komoot' you get an overview of the different walks of the National Park that start at the entrance gate Terhills - National Park Visitor Center. Via National Park Hoge Kempen.be you can find more info for many kilometers of hiking pleasure.
3.6 km
The shortest route of 3.6 km takes you over the long terril to the panorama point in one hour.
This route is relatively easy, but mostly the trails are unpaved. This hiking area is on the site of the former mine of Eisden. This route leads to 2 beautiful panorama points on top of the 'long terril' where you can enjoy breathtaking views.
5.4 km
This 5.4 km hike goes around the small pond of the Terhills Cable Park and takes you to the panoramic point on the long terril. Here you can relax and enjoy breathtaking views of mountains and lakes.
This trail has a medium difficulty level and is mostly unpaved and uphill.
9.5 km
The longest walk during the Walk for Pink Ribbon is 9.5 km long.
This route is stamped as having a tough difficulty level. Using steps, inclines and dirt roads, you walk all the way around the big pond and then enjoy a beautiful panorama of both the long terril and the twin terril. During this hike you will also pass the Terhills Resort.
Do you already know which trail you're going for? Or are you unable to choose and are walking all three?
Environment - Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen
Enjoy all the beauty that the Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen has to offer during several trails. As the only National Park in Belgium, this unique nature reserve offers more than 12 000 ha of natural beauty. The park serves both for the protection of nature, and for human recreation. 440 km of hiking trails, a bicycle route network, 200 km of unpaved trails for mountain bikers, an extensive horse riding network ... there is something for everyone.
In this treasure chest of biodiversity, vast pine forests alternate with purple-flowered heather and shifting dunes. Large ponds testify of gravel and sand extraction and high peaks offer grand panoramic views.
Every year more than 1.2 million visitors come to enjoy an authentic experience of nature.
What are you definitely taking with you?
Put on solid (walking) shoes, the necessary protection against sun (or rain) and don't forget to bring your QR code as proof of registration and to receive your goodie bag. With your good mood included, we will have an amazing Walk for Pink Ribbon!
Tip: For ecological reasons we ask you to bring your own drink bottle or cup.
Spread the Word!
Are you participating in the Walk for Pink Ribbon?
Then share your participation and walking pictures on your socials with the #PinkRibbonBE #WalkforPinkRibbon and encourage those around you to also sign up for this wonderful walk. Because that's how we tell breast cancer tot take a walk! Follow our socials and let all your friends know that you are participating in the first Walk for Pink Ribbon!
#WalkforPinkRibbon
