RoutesHiking trails & RoutesBelgiumFlandersSouth LimburgHasseltHeusden-Zolder
Nature Reserve De Galgenberg – Heusden-Zolder Coal Mine loop from Schachtbok voormalige Koolmijn Zolder
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesBelgiumFlandersSouth LimburgHasseltHeusden-Zolder
Nature Reserve De Galgenberg – Heusden-Zolder Coal Mine loop from Schachtbok voormalige Koolmijn Zolder
Easy
5
hikers
Nature Reserve De Galgenberg – Heusden-Zolder Coal Mine loop from Schachtbok voormalige Koolmijn Zolder
00:57
3.62km
20m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Last updated: May 1, 2026
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Your route passes through a protected area
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1
544 m
View of ZLDR Luchtfabriek and Mine Buildings in Zolder
Highlight • Monument
In 1992, the last mine in the Benelux closed its doors in Zolder. However, it was the first place where the protected buildings were given a new purpose. Together with the shaft tower, the Monnoyer chimney and the mortuary, they remain visible relics of the 'black gold'. The power station 'Watt 17' was expertly restored. The multifunctional building 'De Verdieping' houses a passive school, the CVO and in the restored winding machine building you can visit the heritage walk ZLDR AIR FACTORY for free. The Market Square comes to life every second and fourth Wednesday of the month during the multicultural market 'MijnMarkt'.
Translated by Google •
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2
841 m
Nature Reserve De Galgenberg
Highlight • Natural
The Galgenberg is a small nature reserve a stone's throw from the parking lot of the slag heap in Heusden-Zolder and neighboring Lindeman, one of the first garden districts in Limburg. It is a remnant of the old heathland with trees and was spared from allotment. If you are in the area you can always take a look at this piece of nature. It is still partly under development, but there are already more than 14 grasshopper species and there is enough heather and gorse to enjoy the splendor of colors in the spring. Two pools have also been created in the part under development so that different dragonfly species can go. Quote: "The Galgenberg nature reserve is located north of (and partly on) the former mining site of Heusden-Zolder. The Galgenberg owes its name to the former use to hang criminals in high places – so clearly visible! now no longer the case and you can enjoy the tree-rich heath landscape.
Along the edges of the nature reserve, native trees form a natural screen for the surrounding buildings. Once in the area you will discover a heath landscape in which open areas of heather and more closed areas with birch and pedunculate oaks alternate. No less than 14 different types of grasshoppers can be found in this small, but varied area! The moor butterfly and the rare red wood ant also like to stay there. The southern part is still in full development into an open, heath-like landscape. Two pools were constructed. They form an ideal habitat for various dragonfly species and the natterjack toad.
The Galgenberg nature reserve is part of the 'De Lindeman' dune complex and is protected as a landscape.
Fortunately, the area connects to the nearby former slag heap, which is managed by the Agency for Nature and Forest.
But the nearby business center is also working on its green image through an ecological layout with regional plants such as heather, gorse and open spaces with sandy soil."
Along the edges of the nature reserve, native trees form a natural screen for the surrounding buildings. Once in the area you will discover a heath landscape in which open areas of heather and more closed areas with birch and pedunculate oaks alternate. No less than 14 different types of grasshoppers can be found in this small, but varied area! The moor butterfly and the rare red wood ant also like to stay there. The southern part is still in full development into an open, heath-like landscape. Two pools were constructed. They form an ideal habitat for various dragonfly species and the natterjack toad.
The Galgenberg nature reserve is part of the 'De Lindeman' dune complex and is protected as a landscape.
Fortunately, the area connects to the nearby former slag heap, which is managed by the Agency for Nature and Forest.
But the nearby business center is also working on its green image through an ecological layout with regional plants such as heather, gorse and open spaces with sandy soil."
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
1.55 km
Heusden Water Tower on De Galgenberg
Highlight • Monument
Here too, the water tower is on a mountain as you often see. Other examples: the water tower on the Klitsberg in Paal, the Balenberg in Baal and so on.
Translated by Google •
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4
2.76 km
Headframe II and reception building
Highlight • Monument
This treasure tower was built in 1924 by the Luxembourg company Wurth and was listed as a monument in 1993. A second shaft tower was demolished. This 'wide' shaft tower, almost 52 m high, is a fine example of metal truss work, with an open lift shaft above the shaft. In 1925, a reception building was built under the tower in concrete and steel. In these towers hung the mine lifts that transported the underground personnel and all the material and that brought the coal to the surface. Around the large drive wheels (8 m), the cable ran over a half turn, which carried a lift shaft at each end. The cable had exactly the right length that was needed: if lift 1 was at 0, then lift 2 was hanging at a depth of 800 m. Exactly halfway they crossed each other. 16 people could be transported per floor (5) (= 80 people per lift). In this way, 160 people were transported simultaneously during the postal exchange. The mine elevators also contained a tipping installation that transported the coal. Originally, the coal was brought up in small wagons. However, in 1957 a tipping installation was built: 13 tons of coal/container in 8 sec, which meant 1,176 tons of coal per hour!!
Source: visitlimburg.be/nl/wat-te-doen/schachttoren
Source: visitlimburg.be/nl/wat-te-doen/schachttoren
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
2.90 km
Heusden-Zolder Coal Mine
Highlight • Historical Site
New companies have now come to the old mine site and former offices, this is called reconversion or conversion.
The former bathroom or lavoir is now home to the Centre for Sustainable Building (CeDuBo), where anyone with building plans can go for advice.
The Ophaalmachineggebouw was restored. The CVO De Verdieping was integrated at the back. The Cultuurcentrum Muze was incorporated to the side and the central compressor hall housed ZLDR Luchtfabriek, a visitors centre about the mining past with party facilities between enormous compressors.
As in the past, there is still a 'multicultural' market on the newly constructed square every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, the former paydays of the miners, popularly known as the Turkenmarkt.
The former bathroom or lavoir is now home to the Centre for Sustainable Building (CeDuBo), where anyone with building plans can go for advice.
The Ophaalmachineggebouw was restored. The CVO De Verdieping was integrated at the back. The Cultuurcentrum Muze was incorporated to the side and the central compressor hall housed ZLDR Luchtfabriek, a visitors centre about the mining past with party facilities between enormous compressors.
As in the past, there is still a 'multicultural' market on the newly constructed square every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, the former paydays of the miners, popularly known as the Turkenmarkt.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
3.45 km
Street Art Tour Elentrik - Wout Maes
Highlight • Monument
Since September 2024, there is the 'Tour Elentrik' cycle route in Heusden-Zolder. About 30 boring electricity boxes were taken in hand by local or more famous street art artists in collaboration with Treepack and transformed into small works of art in the streets of our municipality. Wout Maes has created a beautiful tribute to our mining past here. The 'half franc' (before euros existed) was a bronze coin that was introduced in 1952 and with the image of a miner with a leather helmet on the back and a mine lamp next to him.
Translated by Google •
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B
3.62 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
1.86 km
995 m
687 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
1.70 km
1.56 km
299 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
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Tuesday 14 July
30°C
18°C
0 %
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Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h
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