Madame Declercq’s trail

To get to the start, head towards Oignies then follow the signs for Fosse 9-9bis, Métaphone. The car park is located on Rue du Tordoir in front of the Métaphone.

(S/E) From the car park, head north along the path that starts and runs to the left of the Métaphone, then continue along Chemin du Tordoir to the end of the tarmac road.

(1) Enter the Parc du Hautois on the left through the gate at the end of Chemin du Tordoir and follow the path heading north-west. Walk along the meadows, cross the two small wooden bridges and turn left, following the signs for the Sentier de Madame Declercq (red markings). Walk along a stream on your left, which leads into a pond. At a junction, turn left to continue alongside the pond. At a fork, take the stairs on the right which lead you to the foot of slag heap 110.

(2) Once at the foot of slag heap 110, head left to go through the gate. Climb the slag heap; the final part of the ascent is steep. You will reach the summit, where you can enjoy a 360° panorama.

(3) Retrace your steps to return to the gate and the foot of the slag heap.

(2) Continue along the perimeter path that runs along the base of slag heap 110 on your left, then leave the park to find yourself on Rue du Tordoir.

(4) Cross the street carefully and continue along the slightly uphill path opposite, which leads towards slag heaps 116/117, still following the red markings of the Madame Declercq Trail. At the junction at the top of the hill, turn right onto the path skirting slag heaps 116 and 117. Stay on this path for about 150 m.

(5) Head along the path that climbs to the left towards the viewpoint. At the first landing, climb the newly built wooden staircase on the left, which leads to a first viewpoint. Retrace your steps back to the first landing. Continue leftwards up the slope towards the summit of slag heap 116/117.

(6) At the top, walk round to the left to admire the various views, following the fence at first and then the clearly marked paths on the ground until you rejoin the path you took earlier. Turn right and head back down to the foot of the slag heap.

(5) Turn sharply left and follow the red markings of the Madame Declercq Trail.

(7) At the fork, continue left until you reach a padlocked gate on the left.

(8) Head right, following the signs for the Sentier de Madame Declercq. Walk past the observatory in the marshy area. Continue to the park exit, keeping the red markings on your left.

(9) Leave the park by going through the gate and continue along Rue Widor in the Cité Declercq. At the end of the street, turn left into Rue Gustave Charpentier, then at the end of this street, turn right into Rue Georges Housifaux. Continue to the end and turn left into Rue Goulet. At the junction with Rue Hector Berloz, turn right and then right again to return to Rue du Tordoir and the starting car park (S/E).

See the start car park.

No water points along the route.

Make sure you wear suitable footwear.

Historic site of Pit 9/9bis.
Le Métaphone.