As railway station (As)

If you prefer cycling to hiking, then As railway station is the ideal starting point for a bike ride in and around the National Park! The mining past is never far away here either: the 31m tall watch tower is a replica of the drilling rig in As by means of which André Dumont discovered the first coal in Limburg in 1901.

What is there to do?

For years, As railway station played a central role in coal mining in this region, because it was from there that the many miners and coal trucks left for the nearby mines in Eisden, Waterschei and Winterslag. Now you'll find the narrowest visitors' lounge in the National Park in a restored railway carriage.

A bit further down, you'll spot a 31-meter-tall watch tower, a replica of the drilling rig which André Dumont used to discover the first coal in Limburg. This gives you a panoramic view over the station site and the surrounding National Park.

The former station of As is now a welcoming café where you can still breathe in the atmosphere of yesteryear. The platform serves as a terrace.

Eateries

Grand café As railway station, +32(0)89 24 58 45
Hotel-Restaurant Mardaga, +32(0)89 65 62 65, www.hotelmardaga.be

Bike rental

As railway station, located at junction 41, is the ideal starting point for a bike ride through the National Park.

Bike rental can be booked via As tourism office between 29/3 and 30/09, make your booking on ,"> , +32(0)89 39 10 86

Range of hikes

Hikers are also amply catered for at As railway station. The hiking area has ten hiking loops, three of which start at the entrance gate. The other loops are accessible from pick-up places nearby.

In a nutshell:

pine forests
geological wall
march
brook valley
steep slopes

Would you rather go exploring with a Ranger? Click here.

Find your ideal hiking trail

Practical Information

Opening hours visitors’ lounge:

Between 03/04 and 30/09:

Mon and Thur: between 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.
Tue, Wed and Fri: between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 p.m. and between 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.
Sat between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.

Between 01/07 and 31/08:

Every work day between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 p.m. and between 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.
Sat between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.