Most beautiful panorama of Flanders
Connecterra: Panoramic gateway to the National Park Hoge Kempen
Welcome to the location in Eisden that was actively used for coal mining until its closure in 1987. Nowadays you can enjoy a surprising change of the landscape, made of ’lakes and mountains’ with spectacular panoramic views. Let Connecterra surprise you with a special part of nature in Flanders.
You can explore Connecterra on foot: four well marked out hiking trails and a convenient map will help you on your way. Do you prefer an easy walk or a more intense hike? Climbing the top of the ’terril’ will reward you with a unique view of the surroundings: the most beautiful panorama of Flanders. An additional mapped out heritage walk will give you more details about the ‘Garden City’ of Eisden, which is over 100 years old.
Map price: € 2.50
Climbing the stairs of the head frame up to a height of 12 meters offers a different angle on Connecterra and the surrounding area.
You can enjoy coffee, tea and soft drinks at our bar, or sample several local beers. While you are having a refreshing drink, the kids can have fun in the ‘Playpit’, a big playground for both younger and older children.
All nature
Connecterra is the main gateway to the National Park Hoge Kempen, the ideal place to start your visit of the National Park.
The ‘Garden Room’ is also a good place to plan an extended visit to the other National Park gateways:
Kattevennen in Genk
Lieteberg in Zutendaal
Mechelse Heide in Maasmechelen
Pietersheim in Lanaken
Station As in As
Combine your trip to nature in Connecterra with other hip experiences. The tourist office of Maasmechelen and the Euroscoop movie theatre are located within walking distance of Connecterra. Behind the historical façade of the miner’s bathing hall, you’ll find brasserie ‘De Karbonkel’ and the newly opened Hotel Terhills situated in the former mine’s management building. Waterski fans will enjoy the wakeboarding facilities at Terhills Cablepark. Nearby shopping facilities can be found at the Decathlon sports megastore or if you desire more luxurious products at outlet prices you can head for Maasmechelen Village.
Set out exploring with a Ranger!
Book a Ranger for your family, friends or colleagues in order to broaden your experience of nature in the National Park.
National Park in a nutshell
What stories hide behind this particular part of nature and all that remains of its mining history? The Ranger will be happy to tell you more details!
€ 70 per Ranger – max. 25 participants per Ranger – duration: 2 hours
For information and reservation: T: +32 (0)89 65 56 51
info@nationaalpark.be – www.nationaalpark.be
Opening hours
Open seven days a week
From April till September: 10.00 h - 18.00 h
From October till March: 10.00 h - 17.00 h
Closed: Dec. 24, 25 and 31 | Jan. 1
For larger groups, companies, events… : please contact us
Ticket prices
| Day ticket | € 3,0 p.p. |
| Children below 3 | for free |
| Groups (15+ persons) | € 2,5 p.p. |
| Schools | € 1,0 p.p. |
|
subscription (valid from January until December) |
€ 5,0 p.p. |
How to get there
On highway E314 ‘Brussels – Aachen’, take exit 33, ‘Nationaal Park Oost’, and follow direction ‘Maasmechelen Leisure Valley’. There are spacious parking facilities just past ‘Decathlon’ and close to ‘Maasmechelen Village’. From there, follow the signposts ‘Connecterra’ (5 minute walk).
Take the train to Genk station. From there, bus 45 direction ‘Maaseik, Van Eycklaan’ will take you to Connecterra (bus stop Eisden-Maasmechelen Village).
You can reach Connecterra via the bicycle route network in between ‘knots’ 60 en 55, near the head frame of the former mine of Eisden.
Connecterra is a part of the tourist-recreational destination Terhills - feel the heartbeat of nature. More info: www.terhills.be
Connecterra
Main gateway National Park Hoge Kempen
Zetellaan 54, 3630 Maasmechelen (Eisden)
T: +32 (0)89 440 444
E: info@connecterra.be
www.connecterra.be
Thank you for your support!
Visitors and National Park staff alike want to retain the uniqueness of this part of nature! We also want to assure that you can keep enjoying it in the future. Since this area was private property in the past, the whole area is still fenced in. Visitors are now kindly asked for a small financial contribution to sustain the conservation of the park.
