From Gives to Ben-Ahin and the Solières stream

Parking: opposite No. 88 Rue Émile Vandervelde in Gives (near the buildings of the ASBL Vieux Charbonnage).

(S/E) From the car park, walk down Rue Émile Vandervelde for 350 metres, then, just after No. 62 and before the bend, take the path opposite (running alongside house No. 58), which continues as a footpath between the meadows on the hillside. The path enters the woods and emerges after 300 m onto a small street: cross it and continue straight ahead on the path between the houses. At the next street, continue straight ahead between the houses and then across an open area. After 350 m, the path leads to a crossroads: continue straight ahead on Rue de la Sarte à Ben.

(1) After 150 metres, halfway down the hill, take the path on the left that leads into the woods and copses. The path soon joins a pasture, which you should follow on the woods side, separated by a stream (sometimes dry). Follow it for 700 m (ignore the forest path that climbs to the right into the woods) until you reach the tarmac road (small chapel at the intersection).

(2) Cross the road (Rue Saint-Roch) and take the path directly to the right, just after the stream. This path follows the road and rejoins it after 300 m. Cross the road again and take the straight path opposite (in the middle of a firebreak) which climbs up the hillside. It comes out opposite a meadow, near a small pumping station.

(3) Take the farm track on the right, then left to walk along this meadow. After a small intersection, the track runs alongside a few houses. At the end of the road, take the farm track on the left for 180 m, until you reach the edge of the woods. Take the path on the right into the woods, which runs alongside the meadow at a distance. This path follows a stream (often dry) and passes behind some huts. The path then enters the woods and begins to descend until it joins a forest track.

(4) When you reach the forest track (former tram line), cross it diagonally to reach the lower path and take this path to the right. It soon crosses the Ruisseau de Solières and runs along its right bank. Follow it for 500 metres to the small stone bridge. Cross the bridge and rejoin the forest track (former tram line).

(5) Take the forest path on the left and follow it for 150 m, then take the path on the left to cross the stream again. After 50 m, take the path on the right overlooking the stream. After 500 m, this path crosses the stream again and rejoins the forest path. Follow it to the left for about 50 metres and, at the fork, take the path on the right up the slope. At the end, continue straight on along the farm track through the meadows to a cluster of houses.

(6) When you reach the tarmac road, take Rue du Puits on the left, then left again (old pump and bench) onto the path that leads back to the woods. Follow it for 650 metres.

(7) At the intersection (information board), go up to the right and continue through the woods. The path leads downhill to a road (Chemin de Henimont): first turn right then left and continue downhill on the grassy path. At the bottom, it joins a bend in the road (Rue de la Sarte à Ben), which you follow straight downhill.

(8) After 200 m (after passing the houses), take the forest path on the left. After 300 m, the path turns right and crosses the stream, then passes in front of an isolated house. It turns right downhill and runs alongside a pond.

(9) Take the path on the left immediately after the stream (ru) and the wooded strip. The path runs alongside the wooded strip and gradually climbs back up towards the houses, continuing along Rue Thienogrives, which you should follow to the end. At the end of the street, turn right into Rue Champs de Boussalle and continue for 300 m until you reach the bend.

(10) Before the bend (after the plastic horticultural greenhouses), take the path on the left towards the woods. At the fork, keep to the right. The path then curves sharply to the right, ending after 1 km on a small tarmac road. Turn right (between the woods and the meadow) and continue for 400 m.

(11) Take the straight farm track on the left, immediately after a hedge, and follow it to the entrance to the woods (small building). Take the path on the right shortly after the building. This path goes around depressions, which you should bypass on the left and then on the right. When you can see the street, take the path on the left to reach the car park (S/E) through the woods.

The path along the Solières stream – between points (4) and (5) – is very attractive. However, heavy rainfall in previous years has damaged the bank, forcing walkers to cross over fallen tree trunks halfway along the route. If the stream is too full, it is advisable to take the forest path (former tramway line) between the points mentioned.