The GR5 is one of Europe's most popular long-distance walks. It runs from the Hook of Holland to Nice and also passes through Genk. The GR 5 became popular thanks to the one-series of the same name. Have you never noticed the white-red markings?
Hiking ambassador Maaike takes us on the trail.
With my hiking shoes on, a backpack and lots of enthusiasm, I start my 18 km hike from the Albert Canal to the border with Zutendaal. The route immediately starts with a bang! I walk into the nature reserve De Maten, surrounded by ponds, waving reeds and heathland. By the way, did you know that De Maten is one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders? This is where my binoculars come in handy to spot the many waterbirds. They treat me to a great concert, which only makes the silence more striking. And there is even more life in De Maten. The pools are teeming with frogs. A small one jumps on my shoes. In the distance, I see a wild boar with her young. Exciting!
Swinging!
Via the Slagmolen, I walk out of De Maten. Here I can choose whether to follow the Stiemer route or continue. I stay on my path to Nice. Via Termien, I arrive at the Melberg. A beautiful place to take a rest and look for the old juniper trees. Here the trail makes a fork. You can continue to follow the GR5 towards Kolderbos. Or you choose the variant that runs via Genk-Centrum. I decide to go to the centre. After one and a half kilometres I'm already there. I pass the town hall and the railway station. Next stop is the Molenvijver. Familiar territory for us Genk people but still I spot something new. In addition to the cosy picnic spots, there is now a swing. Ideal for loosening up my legs after already 12 km of walking! You get a nice story if you scan the QR code at the swing with your smartphone.
Cool suspension bridge
On the way to Kattevennen, I first pass the Heempark. Surrounded by children playing in the playground, I see goats and rabbits quietly enjoying the sunshine. The route takes me to the back area of the Heempark where, via a cool suspension bridge, I end up on a tiny deck by the pond. A lovely spot, all to myself. I unwind.
It is a hot day, so fortunately the trees of Kattevennen provide the necessary coolness. Via large and smaller forest paths, I go deeper into the forest. From here, the route heads towards the border with Zutendaal, my final destination. But I decide to hike to the domain via the blue route at the junction anyway.
Lightning bolt
I reach an immense ramp complex, a dry slope for snowboarders, albeit still under construction. But on top there is an observation tower, which you can soon reach via the Lightning Trail. The path rises upwards like a lightning bolt. I dare you to test it out in mid-August for sure! Shall I hike on to the Lourdes Ground, the end point of my stretch of GR5? No, enough for today. I plop down on the Crater's terrace and tell my hiking story to a friendly couple doing a weekend at Kattevennen with the mobile home. They will test it out tomorrow!
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