Genk: From Kattevennen to the stars

View the photos from this walk

Markers in both directions: yellow hexagon.

We did this wonderful walk on 30/09/2025 (16,170 steps)

Along the way, we enjoy the tranquility of Kattevennen and traverse the green recreational area of Papendaalheide, where forest and heath alternate and nature reveals its quieter side. At Sport Vlaanderen Genk, the lightning staircase towers above the landscape—an iconic landmark that defines the horizon.

Along the route, the chapel of Terboekt appears, a charming prayer house that has welcomed walkers since 1939. A little further, we discover the Lourdes grotto, a discreet place that bears significance not only religiously but also culturally. In Sledderlo, the Yunus Emre mosque attracts attention—a vibrant symbol of the cultural diversity that characterizes Genk.

The Stokkenman route brings a playful note: wooden figures emerge among the trees, as if they are secretly following us. And then, almost unexpectedly, we come face to face with the Cosmodrome and rocket Astra—a surreal moment that elevates us momentarily out of the earthly.

It's a journey full of variety, tranquility, and small surprises. Genk shows itself from its most layered side: natural, cultural, and a touch cosmic.

Happy walking,

Eddy, Rita, and Prinske