Genk and C-mine

Genk is a former mining city in Limburg province, in Belgium's Flemish Region, about 15 km east of Hasselt. SNCB trains from Hasselt reach Genk in around 15 minutes, and the train is the recommended mode. From Genk station, C-mine at C-mine 10 is reached by a De Lijn bus or a walk of about 25 minutes. C-mine occupies the site of the former Winterslag coal mine, which closed in 1988, and has been converted into a cultural centre, with the original headframes and buildings reused for exhibitions, workshops and performances. The C-mine Expedition takes visitors through the mine's history and ends with a rooftop viewpoint over the surrounding landscape, and entry costs about €10 to €15. The site also hosts design events, a cinema and creative studios, and a cafe and restaurant occupy the former industrial halls. Genk is also a gateway to Hoge Kempen National Park, Flanders' only national park, with heath, pine forest and walking and cycling routes close to the city. A day can begin with the C-mine Expedition in the morning, then lunch at the site. The afternoon is for a walk or ride in Hoge Kempen, or for a visit to Bokrijk open-air museum nearby, which is reached by train and bus. Genk is not a conventional tourist city, so the appeal is its industrial heritage and nature. The site works year-round because much of it is indoors, though the rooftop viewpoint is best on a clear day. Spring to autumn is ideal for the national park. Return tickets from Hasselt cost about €3 to €5 each way, which makes this one of the cheapest trips in the region, and trains back to Hasselt run into the evening.