Chaîne des Terrils walks

Follow part of the old railroad line. Promenade du Préfet, Voie du Sucre from Mons-en-Pévèle.This new version takes into account suggestions made by users. Many thanks to them.

A route that takes you through the Fouquières marshes. You'll climb the wooded slag heap 83, offering a view of a mysterious artificial valley. You'll then head for slag heap 94 (staircase slag heap), passing the schlamm bins (storage of mining waste) and the Harnes fishing pond. Return along the path that runs alongside the Lens canal.

Lots of paths, a beautiful crossing of the Bois (with decent tracks) and a beautiful view as you reach the plateau (but frequent fog in autumn). 2021: I've gone back to the original route, which is more pleasant.

The route begins in the forest, with birdwatching available from observation posts. Then the landscape becomes more undulous as you climb Slag heap 115 (viewpoint over the coalfield) and return via the miners' cottages.

A short walk on good paths in the hills above La Comté. On a clear day, the panorama is superb, and if you're luckier than me, you'll spot a few deer.

Admittedly, the trail may seem a little monotonous, but what a beautiful path! It takes you gently up to the heights before dropping back down into the valley to climb Mont de la Comté.And at the end of the trail, the church awaits you.

This route takes you through the mythical 'Trouée d'Arenberg' (Arenberg gap), the venue for the Paris-Roubaix race, and then on to the Mare à Goriaux bird sanctuary.

During this walk, you'll enter a beautiful region that was devastated by the 1st World War. More than 180,000 people lost their lives during the Battle of Artois, which began in May-June 1915. This walk starts at the edge of a cemetery where 44,000 soldiers of all origins are buried. Many more are, and will remain, buried forever beneath the beautiful landscapes you're about to cross.

Easy walk from Bellaing to the slag heap, the mining cottages and the Haveluy pit.Return through the countryside with a view of the Arenberg slagheap and the Saint-Amand forest.Enjoy the walk.

Walk in the Fresnicourt le Dolmen area Starting from Olhain Castle and heading towards the "Table aux Fées" dolmen, you will pass two sandstone crosses dating from the 13th and 16th centuries, then the hamlet of Verdrel and the Olhain State Forest with its leisure centre, before returning through the forest. Superb views over the plain and its villages. It is best to do this walk in dry weather as the paths can be difficult in wet conditions.

This itinerary takes you to Europe's longest slag heap, which stretches over 2km and fills an ancient valley. You'll enjoy views over the coalfield and the Artois hills. At times, you'll have the impression of walking along a mountain ridge. An entirely wooded terril, it is a reserve for numerous species.

A walk through ponds, canals and marshes, where you'll be surrounded by water in the commune of Beuvry.

A beautiful walk along the banks of the Canal d'Aire in La Bassée. An invitation to stroll through remarkable landscapes such as the Marais de l'Avoué and the Prévôté de Gorre. The British military cemetery in Gorre is a reminder of the Great War.

This route will delight you with its diversity of landscapes. Enjoy some panoramic views and the ancient abbey of Mont Saint-Eloi. (19) See: practical information.

This family trail follows the trails of the Petite Sensée, a small river at the gateway to the Douais urban area, winding through the village of Goeulzin.Easy to navigate, it can be enjoyed all year round, but in wet weather you'll need to wear waterproof footwear.

The two rivers trail from Fouquières-lès-Béthune to Fouquereuil takes you along the Blanche to the Annezin marsh, then along the Lawe before walking above the water under a railway line! This route will take you to the Fouquereuil storage slag heap (the Terril de la Cuisse Maraune) where you can enjoy a superb 360° panorama from the top. The return journey is through the fields.

An itinerary that will take you to Europe's king of slag heaps! You'll first discover the former 11/19 base with its headframes and mining buildings currently being converted. You'll also enjoy a few pleasant passages through the undergrowth.

This circular allows you to admire the rich natural landscapes and mining heritage of the region. During this walk in the great outdoors, you will follow "les cavaliers", the old railway tracks of the Compagnie des Mines that connected all the mine shafts and slag heaps in the region when mining was in full swing. An excursion combining nature and history, to be discovered without delay!

This route will first take you through the Offlarde and Phalempin forests. The landscape then becomes more lunar as you skirt around slag heap 108 and climb slag heap 122 (viewpoint over the mining basin).

There is nothing monotonous about this route: you run or walk across a huge site, skirting an agricultural area here, old paths lined with sweet peas and wild blackberries there, sheltered by undergrowth or alongside a large pond. And without even noticing, you arrive at the foot of the old conical slag heap on the border between Nord and Pas-de-Calais. To reach the top, it takes a little more effort, but it's worth it because once you're at the top, the view is exceptional!

A long route that takes us from the mining landscape to the Artesian countryside.

Short route on well-marked paths. Little tarmac, for a breath of fresh air.

Discover the famous yet little-known "Mare à Goriaux" near Saint-Amand-les-Eaux. It may be called a "mare" (pond), but it is actually a majestic little lake. The walk begins with the ascent of a small slag heap, which will open up a superb panorama overlooking the lake. You will also walk along the equally famous Arenberg trench for 300 to 400 metres.

This hike from Moncheaux passes by the Thumeries golf course, slag heap 122, Leforest lake, and then the greenway. It is fairly shaded, especially in the first part.

This route will take you to the top of the flat 80 slag heap (shaped like a plateau), offering a beautiful view of the mining basin and the Artois hills. The rest of the route follows the course of the Souchez river in a green and peaceful setting.

A superb little walk to do in good weather. Ideal in hot weather, this walk offers both the comfort of the forest and beautiful views, as most of the path to Parc d'Olhain runs along the edge of the forest. Views and coolness, what a joy.

A short country walk in the middle of the Béthune-Nœux-Bruay conurbation.

Short hike around the area developed around the Sainte-Marie slag heap.

This circular hike offers a superb hike that combines mining history, nature and redevelopment. You will take an old mining railway line (a former railway line used to transport coal) that crosses the Bois des Dames to take you to the Chartreuse des Dames in Gosnay.

Slag heaps are not just piles of dead rocks; reactions are still taking place at their core. As evidence of these reactions, gaseous fumaroles escape from them. To see this for yourself, head to Harnes, starting from the Bois de Florimond, and make your way towards the slag heap. Then follow the signposted path known as the “Sentier des Fumerolles” (Fumaroles Trail), marked by concrete posts, which will take you to Slurry Heap 230. It is a surprising journey offering a wide variety of landscapes and points of interest: views of fumaroles, a viewpoint over the south-east of the mining basin, a viewpoint over the canyon, and more.

The Chemin des Voyettes Poulouches, which you will take, will lead you from one voyette (small lane) to another and allow you to discover or rediscover our village.

A very beautiful hike to the highest slag heaps in Europe with a view of the Flanders mountains on a clear day.

Cette randonnée à partir de la base nautique et de loisirs vous fera passer par le Parc Alexis et les marais à la découverte de la biodiversité sur la commune de Wingles. De nombreux oiseaux sont à découvrir. La trace gpx peut s'avérer utile au vu des nombreux chemins présents.

After a fairly gentle start on wide farm tracks, the walk becomes more challenging as you cross the Bois des Bruyères in Angres, where the paths are very wet.Next comes the climb up Lorette, ending with a double crossing of the equally damp Bois de Noulette. ROUTE CHANGED IN SEPTEMBER 2025. However, as the trail between points 19 and 20 is very difficult in wet weather, I have noted the end of the old route, from point 15, in the practical information section.

Short and easy hike through the mining wasteland, slag heap and railway embankment, with a wooded section.

Belle randonnée sans difficulté. Elle vous fait découvrir des chartreuses dans la campagne et les bois environnants.

Long route with some fairly difficult trails.The trail between (3) and (4) is very difficult but can be avoided. It was passable at the end of September 2025 (dry period).There are a few road crossings, but with very little traffic.

This easy hike from Meurchin takes you through towns, marshes and plains. It can be done in all seasons so you can see the biodiversity throughout the year, all on good paths.

Peu de goudron sur ce parcours qui permet d'arpenter les chemins du Bois des Bruyères et de faire le tour du Terril de Pinchonvalles. J'ai dû changer le départ car le beau chemin qui partait à gauche dans la Rue de l'Église est pour le moment (???) en chantier : nouveau lotissement en construction. Malgré toutes les promesses, on continue à bétonner les villes. Prions Ste Godasse et St Croquenot pour que ce chemin réapparaisse après les travaux.

Bien sûr, ce ne sont pas les plus hauts terrils de la région, mais les deux terrils de Verquin sont restés très sauvages et, sur celui de Labourse, il y a assez d'espace et de sentiers pour varier l'itinéraire. Ce parcours en 8 peut facilement être scindé en deux boucles de 6 à 8 km. C'est un parcours assez compliqué que j'ai détaillé au maximum. Néanmoins, je recommande d'utiliser l'application surtout sur les terrils : celui de Labourse possède un grand nombre de sentiers et on peut facilement modifier le parcours.

Semi-urban route. After a stroll through the fields, you pass by the two slag heaps of Nœux. This hike can be made difficult by bad weather, especially when descending the slag heap on ski trail no. 2, where the stairs are quite impressive. The ascent of slag heap no. 1 is not too difficult and the summit offers a panoramic view of the region. Only the end, in the town, may lack appeal, but the streets in this area are not very busy.

This beautiful hike, starting from Labourse, will take you through Leo Lagrange Park. It follows a short loop in Verquigneul before reaching Loisne Park and the slag heap, all on good paths and trails.

Up to the entrance to the Bois des Dames, the route is much the same as this hike (there aren't many options in the Bois de Roquelaure), but I took other paths to cross the Bois des Dames. The end of the route passes behind Emmaüs before reaching the Chartreuse des Dames and joining the Bois des Sablières.It's long, winding, almost entirely unpaved and with a significant elevation gain. Very difficult in wet weather.The use ofthe Visorando app is strongly recommended.

The town of Aire-sur-la-Lys is crossed by the Lys river. It is bordered by the Neuffossé Canal, which takes the name Canal d'Aire at La Bassée, from this town onwards. The Bassin des Quatre Faces (Four Faces Basin) once allowed boats to turn around and sail in the desired direction: towards the town, the Lys, the canal towards Saint-Omer or Béthune. It is a signposted trail in the Pays de Saint-Omer urban community.

Starting from the Jardins du Louvre nursery, this round trip will take you along Eurovélo 5, through woods and town, to Saint-Auguste Church, where you will turn back.

A beautiful walk that will allow you to discover Loos-en-Gohelle, passing by the Canadian Memorial, the 11-19 base and other sites.

Starting from Monceaux-sur-Écaillon, set off on a rural route that gently climbs through meadows and hedgerows. The first steps lead to Quérénaing, where the charm of red bricks blends with the tranquillity of the allotment gardens. Then, heading towards Maing, the Arenberg Canal and its green banks invite you to stop and contemplate. The final stage towards Thaint reveals bucolic views of the Écaillon valley, between rapeseed fields and secret groves. Bring a water bottle to make the most of this Valenciennes getaway.

A very green route in the Artois hills, with two beautiful climbs and a minimum of roads. This route, which is already difficult, becomes very difficult in wet weather. I walked it on 25/02/2026 and some of the paths were barely passable.

This local hike will take you up to the heights of Coupigny, then past the Étangs des Claires Fontaines, the Corons Beclet and, of course, the slag heap. The hike is on good paths and offers beautiful biodiversity.

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.