Dourges walks

A route that will take you to the Sainte-Henriette slag heap, the landmark that marks the entrance to the mining basin when approaching from Paris, visible from the TGV line and the A1 and A21 motorways. You’ll climb its neighbouring ‘little brother’ and enjoy a superb view. Not to be missed.

Located in the heart of the mining basin, the Bois des Hautois in Oignies is a preserved site where hiking trails wind their way between slag heaps, ponds and pastures. The suggested route is situated in the immediate vicinity of the former 9-9 bis pithead, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 30 June 2012, and whose metal headframe is never far from view, helping you to find your way along the route.

This walk, starting from the 9-9bis Mining Centre, will take you across both slag heaps without much difficulty, offering beautiful views of the slag heap range. The walk follows very good wooded paths on the first slag heap of the route. It is advisable to do the walk in the morning. You can extend the walk by crossing the Bois des Hautois, but there are a great many fallen trees.

A route that takes you from the former 9-9bis pit in Oignies, with its renovated buildings that will transport you back several decades. You will then cross the Bois de Gosse and stop at the wildlife observatory. The landscape will take on a more lunar appearance as you climb the slag heap, before finally returning to the pit via the old mining sidings (rail tracks).

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.

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.

Belle randonnée à faire en famille entre terrils, étangs et points de vue.

A route that will take you to the summit of slag heap 107, a fully wooded slag heap. You will follow old mining sidings, which are former railway tracks. You will walk alongside ponds with a bucolic charm, then cross through wild woods or farm tracks with unobstructed views.

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).

This walk, starting from Leforest, passes around two slag heaps and along the greenway (GR® 121B). It is well shaded for the first two-thirds of the route (Phalempin National Forest). It is an ideal walk during the hot summer months; however, the paths can become muddy on rainy autumn or winter days. The route also offers a chance to admire the “ladder tree” in the Bois de l’Offlarde, which served as a German observation post during theFirst World War.

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.

Starting from Étang du Brochet, this hike will take you up Terril du Lavoir, before crossing the Méricourt mining village and then the necropolis of 10 March 1906, a memorial site following the mining disaster that claimed 1,099 lives.

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 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!

A walk through the countryside around Mons-en-Pévèle, the Cinq Tailles bird sanctuary, and the town of Thumeries.

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!

Explore the Parc de la Deûle by mountain bike. This is a suburban park built around the Canal de la Haute-Deûle. It was created to protect the irreplaceable water-capturing fields in the south of the Lille metropolitan area.Numerous facilities welcome visitors, encouraging them to respect the fragile environments.A pleasant ride along the Deûle and the Wavrin Marshes. An easy route offering a mix of riding on stony paths, towpaths and through the park.

This walking route follows the Scarpe bypass and the River Scarpe. It ends with a tour of some of Douai’s historic monuments: - The Douai Belfry (10): a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering magnificent views if you’re up for climbing its steps. - Saint-Pierre Collegiate Church (11): an impressive church with remarkable Gothic architecture. - The Palace of Justice (former Parliament of Flanders) (12): a historic monument steeped in history.

A few kilometres from Lille lies a green oasis: the Phalempin Forest. Although modest in size (670 hectares), this forest is a rejuvenating place for hiking. Despite its small size, the forest boasts great biodiversity and legends. Once upon a time, in the village of La Neuville, on the edge of the Phalempin Woods, there was an inn called Leu Pindu with an unusual sign. It's up to you to discover the rest!

15 Km circuit in and around the Phalempin Forest. Start from the carpark opposite the Phalempin church.

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.

The Boucle des Riez is located in the commune of Bauvin in northern Hauts-de-France, on the edge of the Pas-de-Calais. This pleasant route takes you along the Deûle Canal, through the two Riez Marshes and to the Île aux Saules. Numerous picnic tables await walkers by the lakes.

Circular hike organised for pupils from Étienne Dolet Secondary School and pupils from schools in Provin and Bauvin as part of the “Parcours du cœur” event. A circular hike passing through three villages—Provin, Annœullin and Bauvin—and following paths and roads. This route is particularly suitable for school groups.

This hike, starting from the Leisure Centre on Rue du Clair, will take you past the surrounding ponds and woods with their rich biodiversity and a few climbs, not to mention the Flot de Wingles.

A very beautiful walk set amidst lush greenery and water.

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.