La Mare à Goriaux in the Raismes Forest

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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.

Details

n°10805890
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 15 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 15 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 41 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 17 m
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Photos

Trouée d'Aremberg
pond
The slag heap
Viewpoint

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on the edge of Boulevard des Mineurs d'Arenberg.

(S/E) At the end of the car park, turn right.

(1) Turn left to climb the slag heap and reach the viewpoint. Then take the path on the left that descends to the lake.

(2) Turn right along the banks.

(3) Continue straight ahead, follow the motorway and then turn 90° left onto the path called Drève de Wallers.

(4) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead to reach the Arenberg trench.

(5) Turn left.

(6) Leave the trench and turn left into the forest, following the lake at the bottom of the slag heap: a superb passage, but a little muddy. Reach the foot of the promontory.

(2) To take a different route than on the way there, go straight ahead to follow the edge of the forest.

(7) At the crossroads, turn right.

(1) Continue straight ahead to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 26 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.09 - alt. 26 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 0.69 - alt. 19 m - Crossing the circular lake loop
  4. 3 : km 1.32 - alt. 19 m - At the crossroads, go straight ahead.
  5. 4 : km 2.75 - alt. 18 m - Crossroads, opposite
  6. 5 : km 3.91 - alt. 19 m - Arenberg Trench
  7. 6 : km 4.51 - alt. 23 m - Fork to the left
  8. 7 : km 6.62 - alt. 19 m - Crossroads, on the right
  9. S/E : km 6.93 - alt. 26 m - Car park

Notes

Remember to bring a change of shoes, as some sections may be muddy.

(3) Alternative route by turning left. This keeps you closer to the lake and, more importantly, avoids walking alongside the motorway.

Worth a visit

(5) La Tranchée d'Arenberg.

La Croix au Pile: superb brasserie in the heart of the Marchiennes National Forest. Indoor or outdoor dining in an idyllic setting.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Mic Bravoure
Mic Bravoure

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, a wonderful discovery of this unexpected place.
A walk with several points of interest: slag heap, pond, paved road and mining site if you continue along the Aremberg clearing.
Thank you for sharing.
I'll add a few photos.

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RomDuke
RomDuke

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent hike, be careful at the end, steep terrain

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bapfred
bapfred
• Edited:

The slightly sloping terrain is a bit more technical, but in my opinion it's also one of the most beautiful sections.

Thank you for your comment. It's nice to read that some people take the time to comment.

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Hernould
Hernould
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Impeccable description, on the ground a place in a difficult variant to follow the route

but very happy with the route.

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Davidw
Davidw

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb walk; two slightly long straight stretches, but once you reach the forest section (from point 6) along the pond, what a pleasure. Not too crowded despite being a Saturday with decent weather. Completed in 1 hour 40 minutes.
Thanks to the contributor.

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bapfred
bapfred

It's true that the last section is quite steep, but I think it's still nice. However, while caution is still advised for those who don't dare to venture there, I think your suggestion is a good alternative.

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Tipoune
Tipoune

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk around the pond. However, the return section along the pond is very narrow and sometimes sloping. Not recommended with young children. It is best to continue past the railway bridge and turn left to reach the car park.

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Annecho
Annecho

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good, shaded and quiet, well described.

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bapfred
bapfred

Thank you for this lovely little review.

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Teacher_be
Teacher_be
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, not to be missed, given the setting and the beauty of the surroundings, especially in autumn!
Please note: the path along the lake is a little steep and slippery, which may discourage some people...
There is also a car park at the entrance to the Aremberg clearing, from where you can join the hiking trail.

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