The best MTB trails around Awans

Friendly people. Relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Beautiful location.

video of the climb https://youtu.be/x292nmGUQ0Y

Nice rocky trail in the woods. The end opens up to fields if you choose to take it uphill from the church.

The Blaarmolen is an old watermill on the Jeker River near Tongeren-Borgloon (Flemish Limburg) and forms an interesting part of the industrial heritage in the landscape surrounding the river. The mill is located on the Kevieweg near the De Kevie nature reserve and is a recognizable witness to centuries-old business activities that once used the Jeker river. The complex consists of the mill itself, outbuildings, and a so-called "woelkom" (a pond or channel) that formed part of the water management system around the mill. This pond regulated the water level and supplied the mill wheel with running water. This structure is still visible in the landscape, surrounded by meadows and tree growth. Historically, the Blaarmolen was used as a grain or corn mill, harnessing the power of the river to grind grain. Such mills were essential for local farming communities before modern energy sources were available, and farmers from the surrounding area brought their grain to the mill to be turned into flour. The Blaarmolen mill is recognized as a building heritage site by the Flanders Heritage Agency, demonstrating that it is not only an industrial monument but also of architectural and cultural-historical value to the region. The mill has been out of use since the Jeker river was diverted in 1968, but its structure and turning basin remain a striking feature in the landscape and recall the time when water power played a significant role in daily life.

Rosmeulen Castle is a historic country house and estate of great architectural and heritage value, located at Neremstraat 229 in Nerem, a sub-municipality of Tongeren. Dating back to the early 20th century, the building represents a unique combination of Neo-Rococo and Art Nouveau architecture, designed for chocolate and gingerbread manufacturer Florent Rosmeulen. Construction of the manor house, originally named La Brise, began around 1911, opposite the Rosmeulen chocolate factory. However, the founder himself never fully occupied the building, partly due to financial difficulties and the impact of the First World War. The building is situated amidst a romantic castle garden in the English landscape style, featuring ponds, lawns, mature trees, walking paths, and a walled vegetable garden, all contributing to the estate's unique atmosphere. The imposing entrance hall features a majestic staircase and stained-glass windows, while the exterior facades are richly ornamented with features such as bay windows, colonnades, and a round tower under a domed roof. During the First and Second World Wars, the castle was used by German and later American troops, respectively, reflecting its strategic location and the building's role during that time. After the war, the manor changed owners several times. Families such as Duesberg-Bossen Blijweert and Riskin lived there, and the Riskin family, in particular, carried out maintenance and renovation work for many years. In mid-2020, the castle was purchased by Dirk and Bie D'haese, who began a thorough restoration to restore the dilapidated building to its former glory. Their goal is not only to preserve the heritage but also to open the castle and park for use by associations and for events, with spaces such as a large hall of over 300 m² available. The castle is included in the Inventory of Immovable Heritage of Flanders for its architectural value, rich ornamentation, and its location in a historic park with a pond. Rosmeulen Castle, together with the former Rosmeulen chocolate factory and the surrounding landscape, forms a recognizable and valuable ensemble in Nerem with ties to the local industrial culture of the early 20th century, the social history of the region, and today's heritage conservation.

The former Rosmeulen chocolate factory in Nerem, a submunicipality of Tongeren (Belgium), is a unique industrial heritage building with a rich history and striking architecture. The building was erected around 1908–1909 by Florent Rosmeulen, a chocolate maker who produced chocolate, cocoa, and gingerbread there. It is one of the few industrial buildings in Limburg built in the Art Nouveau style, with characteristic details such as an impressive stained-glass window above the entrance and decorative references to cocoa and chocolate. The structure is among the first in Belgium to be constructed with a reinforced concrete frame, which was progressive at the time and contributed to its robust industrial appearance. The factory flourished in the first decades of the 20th century but was severely affected by the economic crisis of the 1930s. After reorganizations, the company went bankrupt in 1934, and production ceased. In the decades that followed, the building served various purposes, being used by soldiers during World War II, then by other industrial enterprises such as a textile factory and a tin foundry, and later also for cultural activities. After years of vacancy and decay, the former chocolate factory was repurposed as a residential complex in the mid-2010s. Under the name "De Chocoladefabriek" (The Chocolate Factory), the industrial monument is being preserved and transformed into a residential project with lofts and apartments combined with communal areas and gardens. The impressive Art Nouveau block, with a stained-glass window approximately 6 meters wide, is one of the highlights of the renovation and is one of the largest glass artworks in an industrial context in Flanders. The repurposing of the former chocolate factory has become an example of how historical industrial heritage can be integrated into modern residential spaces. The project was even recognized with a prestigious real estate award for the way the old building was preserved and revitalized. Today, the building not only commemorates the region's industrial history but also forms an architectural and social hub where residential heritage and modern architecture merge, close to the De Kevie nature reserve and the former railway line.

Under the old railway bridge at the De Kevie nature reserve in Tongeren, a striking mural catches the eye of everyone entering the walking and recreation area. Designed and executed by British-Australian street artist James Cochran, better known by his stage name Jimmy C., the mural measures approximately 18 meters wide and 4 meters high. The artwork was installed as a tribute to Adeline Valkenborg, the founder of the Belgian Centre for Guide Dogs (BCG) in Tongeren. The centre celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020, and when regular festivities were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the initiators decided to create a lasting and socially meaningful artwork to commemorate her work and vision. The location under the railway bridge was carefully chosen. On the one hand, the place is literally and figuratively a bridge in the landscape, a passage for walkers and dogs near a dog park. On the other hand, it has symbolic value: Adeline herself was seen as a bridge-builder who paved the way for visually impaired people by establishing an institute that trains and connects guide dogs. The mural features, among other things, a portrait of Adeline with a guide dog and also integrates elements that visualize the journey of a scent hound from puppy to fully-fledged guide dog. The work functions not only as an artistic eye-catcher but also as an inspiring and educational element, raising visitors' awareness of the importance of guide dogs and the mission of the BCG. There are plans to place an information board with a QR code near the mural, directing passersby to information about Adeline and the BCG and how people can get involved, for example, as a foster family for puppies or by supporting the organization. This mural thus perfectly combines street art, social engagement, and local identity. In a place where people experience nature, relaxation, and history, an important story about independence, guidance, and inclusion also has space to be seen and read.

A large mural has been installed at the entrance gate under an old railway bridge in the De Kevie nature reserve (Tongeren) to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Belgian Guide Dog Centre. This mural is not just a random drawing but a meaningful work of art, commissioned by the centre and intended as a lasting tribute to Adeline Valkenborg, the founder of the Belgian Guide Dog Centre. The mural was designed by James Cochran, also known as Jimmy C, a British-Australian street artist internationally renowned for his large and detailed works. The mural covers an area of approximately 18 meters wide and 4 meters high, giving it a prominent position under the bridge near De Kevie. The choice of this location is symbolic, as the railway bridge is located near a dog park and is a frequent sight for both walkers and dog owners. Moreover, the bridge itself represents a metaphor for connection and guidance, which aligns with the mission of the Belgian Centre for Guide Dogs to support and connect people with visual impairments with their environment. The artwork thus combines nature, social function, and art experience. On the one hand, it is part of the experience value of De Kevie as a nature reserve, and on the other, it tells a story about the commitment to partnership and support of people with disabilities through their guide dogs. Adeline Valkenborg was a Belgian woman and the founder of the Belgian Centre for Guide Dogs (BCG vzw) in Tongeren. Born in 1959, she experienced a sudden, total loss of her sight at the age of 14, leaving her completely blind. Visually impaired herself and confronted with the daily challenges this entailed, Adeline noticed that there was no local supply of well-trained guide dogs in Belgium. In the 1980s, guide dogs were virtually impossible to find in Belgium, and people with visual impairments struggled to maintain the mobility that others take for granted. She decided to change this. Through acquaintances and contacts, she connected with the British organization Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and obtained her first guide dog, a Labrador named Snowy, to help her with her daily commute. This made a deep impression on her and gave her the idea to establish a Belgian guide dog training program. On March 15, 1990, Adeline officially founded the Belgian Guide Dog Center in Tongeren. The center partially followed the British training model, using English commands for the dogs, making it the first organization in Belgium to systematically train and pair guide dogs with people with visual impairments. Adeline saw the need for true independence and mobility in daily life, both for herself and for others with visual impairments. Guide dogs are not only tools for avoiding obstacles, but they also provide people with a sense of confidence, security, and social connection in a society that is typically highly visual. The center she founded offers these dogs free of charge to people with visual impairments, with careful training and long-term support. Her efforts meant that for the first time, visually impaired people in Belgium could, on a large scale and professionally, follow a program to become independent and actively participate in social life, together with a guide dog. Adeline Valkenborg remained involved with the center even when her health sometimes hampered her work, and she continued to advocate for the integration of visually impaired people into society. Her vision was always focused on growth and improvement of services so that as many people in need as possible could be helped. She passed away on June 16, 2016, at the age of 56, but the center still bears her name and continues to grow. To mark important milestones, such as the center's 30th anniversary, artworks (such as the mural at De Kevie) have been installed to permanently honor her work and memory.