Cycling Between Terrils: A New Cycling Experience in Belgium’s Limburg

The Belgian province of Limburg continues to innovate and surprise. With the recent opening of “Cycling between Terrils”, the Limburg numbered junction network expands once more, bringing a breathtaking experience to Hoge Kempen National Park. This unique cycling route links the iconic mine heaps (terrils) of the former Eisden coal mine with a floating pontoon bridge spanning nearly 380 metres. The bridge carries cyclists and pedestrians right above the water’s surface, offering a full 360-degree view of the dramatic mining landscape.

Gliding over the man-made lake between iconic mining heaps from east to west, you’re treated to this stunning view.

Cycling back over the lake from west to east, into the sun, here’s the view you’ll experience.

Located in the eastern region of the province, this new addition lies less than 5km from the Dutch border. Constructed from 28 interlinked concrete pontoons, each stretching 13 metres, the bridge is a marvel of engineering. These pontoons float on polystyrene, connected like a floating chain, stabilised by 15 submerged steel pilings that anchor it in place. Standing over a metre wide, these pilings extend up to 26 metres deep, each weighing between 8 and 11 tonnes. Designed with circularity in mind, the pontoon bridge can be disassembled at any time without impacting the surrounding nature.

This bridge was inaugurated on 14 September 2024. Igor Philtjens, Deputy and Chair of Visit Limburg, hailed “Cycling between Terrils” as a new milestone in developing Limburg’s cycling tourism. “With “Cycling between Terrils”, we’re offering not only a new cycling adventure but also a unique way to experience Limburg’s remarkable nature and heritage,” he said. “This project underscores our ambition to position Limburg as a top cycling destination globally.”

A 3.3-metre-wide path might sound spacious, but as this picture shows, it quickly fills up. With 25,900 cyclists in the first week alone, it’s a popular—if occasionally crowded—spot.

Cyclists can explore this new route between numbered junctions 502 and 565, taking them between Eisden’s so-called “Panorama terril” and the twin terrils. The bridge’s sweeping S-shape provides an unmatched view of the landscape, and its transparent balustrade creates the illusion of floating above the water. This enhances the sense of immersion without disturbing the natural surroundings.

Philtjens also emphasised the importance of continuous innovation in Limburg’s tourism offering: “To stay at the forefront of cycling tourism, we must dare to innovate. Today’s traveller wants to be surprised, which is why we focus on architectural projects that offer fresh perspectives on our landscapes.”

I brought my own bike on the Dutch train to cycle from Sittard (NL) to this Belgian location. But even on an early Sunday train, it was clear I wasn’t the only one with this idea! Dutch trains aren’t designed to hold large numbers of bicycles.

This is not Limburg’s first venture into creating immersive cycling experiences. Previous initiatives, such as “Cycling through Water” (2016), “Cycling through the Trees” (2019), and “Cycling through the Heathland” (2021), have already put Limburg on the international map. Now, “Cycling between Terrils” stands as both an architectural wonder and a tribute to the region’s mining heritage, linking the unique mine landscapes to the rich history of coal extraction and subsequent ecological restoration.

Philtjens summed up Limburg’s ambitions clearly: “We aim to keep surprising visitors with new cycling experiences while using tourism as a tool to boost the welfare of all Limburg residents.”

More heritage from the former Eisden coal mines can be found near Terhills, including these two lift shaft towers.

The remnants of Eisden’s former coal mines, which closed in 1987, feature four artificial hills around a vast, deep gravel lake on the edge of Hoge Kempen National Park. This area now hosts “Terhills”, the park’s main gateway, a wellness centre, Terhills Resort, a water sports park at Terhills Cablepark, the four-star Terhills Hotel, and the Maasmechelen Village outlet shopping centre. Since 2020, this area has been part of the National Park, with signposted walking routes crisscrossing the mine heaps. The twin terrils are now densely forested, creating microclimates that support diverse butterfly species and a steep trail leading to a panoramic viewpoint.

While Flanders’ cycling network isn’t perfect, it’s still quite good—even in rural areas. I made sure to stick mainly to the numbered junction network to avoid potentially dangerous roads.

To reach this striking location, I cycled from the nearest Dutch train station in Sittard. The 18-kilometre route includes a ferry crossing over the international border in the Maas (Meuse) River. This journey highlights the seamless connectivity between Limburg in Belgium and Limburg in the Netherlands, making “Cycling between Terrils” easily accessible also for the Dutch and even the Germans because the Netherlands is less than 10km wide at that location which means parts of Germany are also at cycling distance.

My video report on “Cycling between Terrils” near Dilsen-Stokkem in Belgium.

A ride on the new bridge in both directions.

A ride in both directions in 360 degrees. You can no longer watch 360 videos with a VR headset, but you can still turn your phone in every direction and on a PC or laptop you can use your mouse to move the image in whichever way you would want.