Numerous benches in the marsh area and around Lake Bernissart.
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.
Details
-
Activity: Walking -
Distance: 16.63 km
-
Average duration: 4h 50
-
Difficulty: Moderate
-
-
Back to start: Yes
-
Ascent: + 20 m
-
Descent: - 21 m
-
-
Highest point: 37 m
-
Lowest point: 13 m
-
Country: Belgium
-
District: Bernissart
-
Start/End: N 50.465942° / E 3.67214°
-
IGN map(s): Ref. 2605E
Photos
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 17 m - CRIE of the Harchies Marshes
- 1 : km 1.92 - alt. 17 m - Observatories
- 2 : km 3.84 - alt. 24 m - Old canal, partly dried up. - Ancien canal
- 3 : km 5.56 - alt. 27 m - Old canal still filled with water. - Ancien canal
- 4 : km 8.61 - alt. 34 m - RAVeL Blaton-Bernissart
- 5 : km 9.83 - alt. 29 m - Cité Joseph Wauters
- 6 : km 11.5 - alt. 21 m - Lake Bernissart
- 7 : km 13.09 - alt. 20 m - Former Sartis industrial railway line
- 8 : km 15.38 - alt. 16 m - Crossroads
- 9 : km 16.2 - alt. 18 m - Les Sartis
- S/E : km 16.62 - alt. 17 m - CRIE of the Harchies Marshes
Notes
Worth a visit
The Iguanodon Museum, the Geological Garden and the Fire Engine in Bernissart.
The Mining Museum in Harchies.
Condé-sur-l'Escaut, on the French side.
Reviews and comments
4.7 / 5
4.3 / 5
Overall rating : 4.5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 18, 2025
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
Due to the forecast temperature, we did the circuit in reverse, starting with the fields and the lake, then the shaded path, the bank of the old canal, which is also shaded, and finishing with the marshes.
Two areas are starting to become overgrown with vegetation, between points 7 and 8 and towards point 2, but wearing shorts makes it easier to get around.
A pleasant walk, even in hot weather
Machine-translated
Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 11, 2025
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
Here's what I think in pictures:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DL9qRCToSgG/...
Hike completed yesterday at the end of the day.
Machine-translated
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
I was able to follow the route without any problems despite the lack of explanations (I have the paid version of Visorando). The route is very pleasant to follow. The first part is perfect if you like listening to and watching birds (there are lots of birdwatching spots), the second part is ideal if you enjoy walking along canals, and the last part takes you through the countryside. The route is almost entirely on trails or small paths. I loved it and would recommend it without hesitation.
Machine-translated
Other walks in the area
A picturesque corner of the Borinage and the Harchies Marshes
La Mer de Sable, the Fontaine Bouillante and the Blaton-Ath Canal
Circular Chabaud-Latour in Bonsecours
The Ath-Blaton Canal between Belœil and Stambruges
Countryside and woods around Roisin and along the Grande Honnelle
Pont de l'Imbécile
The Baudour Woods (East)
A picturesque loop between the French Avesnois and the Belgian highlands
For more walks, use our search engine .
The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.