Around the Genly slag heap

A lovely route along country lanes and footpaths. Discover the beautiful Noirchain slag heap and the secret paths of the old Ciply quarries. Lovely views from the fields and the charm of shaded paths make for a pleasant walk, despite the noise of the motorway at the very end of the route.

A lovely rural walk between these two villages, where four wind turbines are currently being erected at a place called Tout Vent, offering a lovely view of the Borinage slag heaps, the horses from the stud farm grazing in the meadows at Noirchain, and the deconsecrated church at Asquillies, which was converted into a home in 2014. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noirchain

A pleasant walk through the woods, allowing you to discover the hidden contours of the woodland, the meandering Ruisseau de Colfontaine and the woodland paths. “Ah! This wood, so beautiful and picturesque, with its whimsical paths disappearing into the valleys, following the unexpected twists and turns of the chattering streams and climbing the rugged slopes; its lanes, running from the R’mite cellar, passing not far from the Fountain, all the way to the Pavilion, veering off towards Blaugies or returning towards the first roundabout, its grassy paths winding through the thickets towards the Croatte tavern, or leading you back to the Baraque-à-Ramons, towards the Blondiau skittles alley! What a sight of couples dressed in their Sunday best! What a host of merry and boisterous groups! It was as though all the lovers of the Borinage had taken possession of the Wood…’ Dr Valentin Van Hassel (website link below) If it’s a wet season, make sure you wear suitable footwear as the site (4) is often muddy in such conditions. Currently (June 2025) the ground is dry.

A pleasant, slightly undulating woodland walk past the Grand Bouillon slag heaps, starting from the Tour du Lait Buré.

Set off from two listed monuments – the House of François Salignac de la Mothe-Fénélon, Bishop of Cambrai, and the Tour du Lait Buré (a reference to cuckoo flower or a cheese shaped like a ball) – to explore former mining sites, the Molettes frame at Sauwartan and the Grand Bouillon d’En Haut slag heap. Wander through the Bois de Colfontaine and the Bois l’Évêque along wide avenues and gently undulating footpaths. Save your energy for the final stretch of the walk: the 12% gradient of the Rampe Anfouette, which is said to owe its name to the lashes of the whips used by the drivers of the horse-drawn carts that used to travel up the ramp.

A pleasant walk, mainly away from traffic, along the RAVeL and country lanes, exploring the sites of the Malogne and the former Crachet coal mine, now the Frameries Science Adventure Park.

Here is a ninth stage that is the complete opposite of the previous one: lots of small roads and, above all, country lanes far from the hustle and bustle and noise. The finish point is flexible. The walk starts in Ciply and ends in Erquelinnes.

A short walk along a small section of the Ravel and around the bottom of the Levant slag heap. You will see the Levant site and the remains of the old coal mine.If you feel brave enough, you can climb to the top.