As: Nature, Mining History and Experiences in Hoge Kempen

As is centrally located in Hoge Kempen National Park, a natural landscape covering more than 12,000 hectares. The town combines extensive trails, traces of its mining history and unusual experiences around Station As. This makes As an ideal starting point for a trip where you can combine nature, exercise, culture and activities with children.

Trails and landscapes in the national park

Hoge Kempen National Park has around 1,000 kilometres of signposted trails for hikers, cyclists, horse riders and mountain bikers. The hiking area around Station As includes nine walking loops, five of which start at the gateway. A 5.5-kilometre route leads through the former “Aan de Windelsteen” mining area and along the old coal railway. Those looking for a more sporty option will also find an almost 4-kilometre technical mountain bike loop in Klaverberg Trail Park. It is completely unpaved and described as moderately difficult.

The area’s distinctive landscapes are also part of its character. The Geological Wall near As is located in a former quarry and can be viewed on several levels via an 8.5-metre-high stair tower. Groeve Hermans is a protected landscape northeast of As; important geological features are visible in the wall of an abandoned gravel quarry. Windelsteen lies at the boundary point between As, Maasmechelen and Dilsen-Stokkem. This site is associated with a local story about a mysterious inscription; historically, it was an important boundary point on the heathland.

Station As: Mining, railways and shared experiences

The A Station visitor centre offers an interactive experience railway about the region’s mining and natural history. The 31-metre-high observation tower at Station As is modelled on a drilling rig replica with which André Dumont discovered the first hard coal in Limburg. From the tower, visitors can see across the station grounds and the surrounding Hoge Kempen National Park. A Station rents out e-bikes, a tandem bicycle for people with disabilities and cargo bikes for exploring the national park.

Families with different interests can choose from several independent activities around A Station. The Minitrein ride travels through Driebankenbos; during the journey, the train driver and colleagues tell stories, while passengers can spot forest animals. Speeltrein includes a wooden train, a wobble bridge and a rope course for children to climb and play on. Bosgolf combines a forest activity in the style of mini-golf with natural obstacles. The disc golf course has nine baskets; trees and other landscape features form the obstacles around the observation tower.

“Machinist” is a real-life video game for children. Players take on the role of infiltrating detectives and, together with a professional actor, enter a mysterious hall containing real trains and locomotives. “Red Eye” is intended for people aged 16 and over and takes place in an old, abandoned train hall with a macabre railway theme. The “Het kloppend hart van de Hoge Kempen” cycle route begins at the artistically modified locomotives at Station As railway station.

Culture and historic townscapes

Sint-Aldegondiskerk is a protected monument and is considered a well-preserved example of Meuse Gothic architecture. Its tower dates from the early 15th century, while the nave probably dates from around 1500. The churchyard, with its surrounding walls and four 17th-century grave crosses, is protected as a landscape together with the old church. As also has a well-preserved historic linear village as its old town centre. It includes the church and elongated farmhouses whose ridges are aligned perpendicular to the road. Station As itself is the only remaining fully equipped railway station building of the Hasselt-Maaseik railway company; it was built in 1874.

Which accommodation location suits your trip?

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in As, you can take the focus of your trip into account. Those who want to use many trails can orient themselves towards the national park’s offerings and the walking loops around Station As. For cultural and historical discoveries, Sint-Aldegondiskerk, the historic linear village and the railway station dating from 1874 are key highlights. Families can include the experience railway, Minitrein, Speeltrein and the two special play activities in their plans. The range of activities makes it possible to alternate between days in nature, historical discoveries and exercise together.

More places for orientation: Ellikom, Horpmaal, Tessenderlo, Zutendaal, Lanaken, Opglabbeek, Halen, Genk.

To the overarching travel overview: Limburg.