Canals and Marshes in 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

75691733
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    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

Photos

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 17 m - CRIE of the Harchies Marshes
  2. 1 : km 1.92 - alt. 17 m - Observatories
  3. 2 : km 3.84 - alt. 24 m - Old canal, partly dried up. - Ancien canal
  4. 3 : km 5.56 - alt. 27 m - Old canal still filled with water. - Ancien canal
  5. 4 : km 8.61 - alt. 34 m - RAVeL Blaton-Bernissart
  6. 5 : km 9.83 - alt. 29 m - Cité Joseph Wauters
  7. 6 : km 11.5 - alt. 21 m - Lake Bernissart
  8. 7 : km 13.09 - alt. 20 m - Former Sartis industrial railway line
  9. 8 : km 15.38 - alt. 16 m - Crossroads
  10. 9 : km 16.2 - alt. 18 m - Les Sartis
  11. S/E : km 16.62 - alt. 17 m - CRIE of the Harchies Marshes

Notes

Numerous benches in the marsh area and around Lake Bernissart.

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

4.5 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Clout59
Clout59

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

User 13980291

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

gisele.vanca
gisele.vanca

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

boussu101
boussu101

Hello,
I know the area well, having completed several ADEPS walks there.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

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.