Belœil walks

Pleasant walk along the Ath-Blaton Canal and return through the woods of Belœil Castle.

This eighth stage is certainly not the most pleasant part of this tour of Wallonia, as it passes through a heavily built-up area. Nevertheless, it is interesting to explore the Borinage not only through its countryside but also through its towns. You’ll find both aspects here. Accommodation with a local host.

Discover the undivided forest of Stambruges, its avenues and paths, and the mystery of the Fontaine Bouillante. Follow the narrow streets of Belœil and Stambruges and marvel at the Château du Prince de Ligne, the ‘Belgian Versailles’. Two other walks are available: “The Ath-Blaton Canal between Belœil and Stambruges” and “The Mer de Sable, the Fontaine Bouillante and the Blaton-Ath Canal”. This one is intended as a summary of the two (excluding the Mer de Sable) but follows different paths and lanes.

An easy walk accessible to all at Mer de Sable, in the undivided forest of Stambruges, to discover the Fontaine Bouillante and return along the Blaton-Ath canal on the towpath.

This is an easy walk to visit a picturesque corner of the Borinage region along old miners' paths and discover the charm of the Harchies marshes.

A walk that follows the old Pommeroeul–Antoing and Blaton–Ath canals, takes the old L80/78A Blaton–Bernissart railway line, and ends with country lanes running alongside the geological trail of the Bernissart Museum.

A walk that follows the old Pommeroeul–Antoing and Blaton–Ath canals, takes the old L80/78A Blaton–Bernissart railway line, runs alongside the Bernissart Museum’s geological trail, and ends with country lanes and the Marais d’Harchies Best done in dry weather! Sections ofthe GR® 121 and 412 are very muddy (almost impassable) in wet weather.

This walk takes you on a discovery of the Harchies Marshes, follows the towpath of the old Antoing-Pommerœul canal, joins the RAVeL of the old railway line linking Blaton to Bernissart, goes around Lake Bernissart and finally takes you into the countryside on the old railway line (not developed) that linked the Sartis coal mine to Bernissart station.

Discover one of Wallonia’s richest natural sites! Located in the Haine Valley, this 550-hectare area is a wetland of international importance (Natura 2000). This flat route, accessible to all (pushchairs welcome), takes you through vast reed beds, ponds and woodland, offering numerous vantage points from which to admire herons, ducks and, with a bit of luck, the elusive bittern.

Starting from the random point given at the end of the previous stage, we will explore the Belgian-French border region in southern Hainaut, moving back and forth between France and Belgium, including the curious town of Bon-Secours with its cathedral situated right on the border. This stage ends in the municipality of Belœil at a holiday let booked for the occasion.

This circular route connects the Chabaud-Latour Pond to the Bonsecours Forest in Péruwelz. Along the route, you can see the Fosse Ledoux headframe and its slag heap, the Bernissart Fire Machine and the Basilica of Our Lady of Bon-Secours in Péruwelz.

With this fourth stage, it’s time to tackle the westernmost part of the Tour de Wallonie as you head towards the Scheldt, but not before climbing the area’s toughest hill, Mont-Saint-Aubert.

A walk through woods and fields in the Hauts Pays Nature Reserve.

A walk starting from the Sept Hornu-Wasmes slag heap, offering sweeping views of the Borinage and its mining heritage. The cemetery features an unusual piano-shaped memorial. Paths, disused roads, the RAVel cycle route and footpaths make up this easy route, apart from the climb up the slag heap. A walking stick may be useful for the climb; in wet weather, large puddles may form on the path running alongside the N550, so please wear waterproof shoes in such conditions.

This lovely circular walk takes hikers through the Haut-Pays towards Onnezies (with its famous wolf and the manor tower), towards Gussignies (home to the equally renowned Brasserie du Baron) and the Caillou qui Bique above Grande Honnelle.A must for anyone unfamiliar with the region!Mostly through the countryside, the route also follows a section of the RAVeL and forest paths.It crosses part of the Natagora nature reserve at Grande Honnelle, where there are clear signs instructing you to follow the paths and not to pick the flowers – especially not the daffodils or hyacinths, which bloom in turn by the thousands in early spring!

A lovely walk, half through the countryside and half through woodland, along the paths of Warquignies and the Bois de Saint-Ghislain, where you can enjoy the coolness of the Ruisseau d’Elwasmes on hot days. It is worth noting that the Bois de Saint-Ghislain is, curiously, situated between Dour and Warquignies.

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.

This third stage links two small villages in northern Hainaut: Ghislenghien and Coqueréaumont. It passes through Ath, where there are sports shops. This walk allows you to discover the two Dendre rivers, the eastern one flowing into the western one within the town, and to walk along the Way of St James. The route then heads back into the countryside, which is very hilly, heading westwards.