The Bois de Colfontaine and its stream

de fr

A pleasant walk through the woods, allowing you to discover the hidden contours of the woodland, the meandering Ruisseau de Colfontaine and the woodland paths.

“Ah! This wood, so beautiful and picturesque, with its whimsical paths disappearing into the valleys, following the unexpected twists and turns of the chattering streams and climbing the rugged slopes; its lanes, running from the R’mite cellar, passing not far from the Fountain, all the way to the Pavilion, veering off towards Blaugies or returning towards the first roundabout, its grassy paths winding through the thickets towards the Croatte tavern, or leading you back to the Baraque-à-Ramons, towards the Blondiau skittles alley! What a sight of couples dressed in their Sunday best! What a host of merry and boisterous groups! It was as though all the lovers of the Borinage had taken possession of the Wood…’ Dr Valentin Van Hassel (website link below)

If it’s a wet season, make sure you wear suitable footwear as the site (4) is often muddy in such conditions. Currently (June 2025) the ground is dry.

Details

n°76899893
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.90 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 745 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 745 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 617 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 331 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

Park on Rue Belle Maison in Colfontaines.

(S/E) Enter the woods and turn right onto the path marked by green sign no. 70 (cyclists). Follow the path downhill to the junction.

(1) Take the path on the left to the next junction, then follow the path on the right which leads down to a tarmac road.

(2) Cross over and continue down the path opposite until you reach the dam.

(3) After the dam, take the path on the left and walk alongside the Ruisseau de Colfontain. Cross the tarmac road and carry on straight ahead.

(4) Carry on straight ahead, following the stream: please note that if it has been a wet season, this area is often muddy. You will reach some concrete slabs.

(5) Take the path on the left and join a wide avenue (Allée Centrale).

(6) Follow it to the right and continue to the Carrefour Raimbeaux (hunting lodge).

(7) Take the path on the left, go straight on, crossing the tarmac path, and continue to the junction with a large dead tree left in place for wildlife.

(8) Turn left onto Chemin des Mésanges and carry on straight ahead to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 390 ft - Car park on Rue Belle Maison
  2. 1 : mi 0.48 - alt. 495 ft - Crossroads, on the left
  3. 2 : mi 0.69 - alt. 469 ft - Tarmac path
  4. 3 : mi 0.85 - alt. 449 ft - Dam
  5. 4 : mi 1.36 - alt. 492 ft - This area may be muddy
  6. 5 : mi 1.47 - alt. 499 ft - Concrete slab, on the left
  7. 6 : mi 1.83 - alt. 571 ft - Path, on the right
  8. 7 : mi 2.35 - alt. 604 ft - Raimbaux crossroads, hunting lodge
  9. 8 : mi 3.02 - alt. 617 ft - Dead tree
  10. S/E : mi 3.9 - alt. 390 ft - Car park on Rue Belle Maison

Worth a visit

https://www.patrimoinedecolfontaine.be/post/le-bois-de-colfontaine

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Pirenne
Pirenne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little route completed on a beautiful autumn day without any difficulty, although there is a very muddy section to bear in mind. Check the hunting dates during this period.

Machine-translated

Annecho
Annecho

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We only got lost once!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The green and black heart of the Borinage in the Hauts-Pays Nature Reserve

Visorando Member
Le poumon vert et noir du Borinage dans le Parc Naturel des Hauts-Pays
↔7.48 mi ↗+541 ft ↘-509 ft ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Frameries (Hainaut)
Set off from two listed monuments – the House of François Salignac de la Mothe-Fénélon, Bishop of Cambrai, and the Tour du Lait Buré (a reference to cuckoo flower or a cheese shaped like a ball) – to explore former mining sites, the Molettes frame at Sauwartan and the Grand Bouillon d’En Haut slag heap. Wander through the Bois de Colfontaine and the Bois l’Évêque along wide avenues and gently undulating footpaths. Save your energy for the final stretch of the walk: the 12% gradient of the Rampe Anfouette, which is said to owe its name to the lashes of the whips used by the drivers of the horse-drawn carts that used to travel up the ramp.

Walking Warguignies and the Bois de Saint-Ghislain

Visorando Member
Warguignies et Bois de Saint-Ghislain
↔4.05 mi ↗+177 ft ↘-177 ft ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Colfontaine (Hainaut)
A lovely walk, half through the countryside and half through woodland, along the paths of Warquignies and the Bois de Saint-Ghislain, where you can enjoy the coolness of the Ruisseau d’Elwasmes on hot days. It is worth noting that the Bois de Saint-Ghislain is, curiously, situated between Dour and Warquignies.

Walking Circular route around the mill farm in Sars-la-Bruyère

Visorando Member
↔4.76 mi ↗+30 ft ↘-30 ft ◔2h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Frameries (Hainaut)
Country lanes and the edge of the forest feature on this gentle seven-kilometre route.

Walking Sars-la-Bruyère Walk

Visorando Member
Promenade de Sars-la-Bruyére
↔3.16 mi ↗+85 ft ↘-72 ft ◔1h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Frameries (Hainaut)
A family-friendly, rural walk along the village’s quiet paths and streets.Sars-la-Bruyère was first mentioned on 25 October 1185. Its name derives from the Latin *sartum*, meaning ‘cleared’ or ‘weeded’ land, and the village was built along the Roman road between Bavay and Utrecht. It witnessed the Battle of Malplaquet in 1709 and fighting between American and German forces in September 1944.

Walking Sauwartan from Le Petit Dour

Visorando Member
Sauwartan depuis le Petit Dour
↔2.34 mi ↗+85 ft ↘-102 ft ◔1h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Dour (Hainaut)
A walk that’s half through woodland and half across open countryside, where you’ll discover the remains of the Sauwartan coal mine and the site of an old watermill, as well as “Nounours” the llama. The more adventurous can climb to the top of the slag heap.

Walking Sept d'Hornu-Wasmes slag heap

Visorando Member
Terril du Sept d'Hornu-Wasmes
↔3.74 mi ↗+200 ft ↘-197 ft ◔1h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Boussu (Hainaut)
A walk starting from the Sept Hornu-Wasmes slag heap, offering sweeping views of the Borinage and its mining heritage. The cemetery features an unusual piano-shaped memorial. Paths, disused roads, the RAVel cycle route and footpaths make up this easy route, apart from the climb up the slag heap. A walking stick may be useful for the climb; in wet weather, large puddles may form on the path running alongside the N550, so please wear waterproof shoes in such conditions.

Walking Along the border at Blaugies

Visorando Member
Au fil de la frontière à Blaugies
↔5.93 mi ↗+36 ft ↘-39 ft ◔2h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Dour (Hainaut)
A peaceful walk starting from Blaugies towards the French border, taking you through hills and valleys with lovely open views. In sunny weather, the walk offers little shade (bring water) and is a great way to get plenty of fresh air. The idyllic landscapes and quiet paths make for a peaceful walk.

Walking The Noirchain and Ciply slag heaps

Visorando Member
Les terrils de Noirchain et de Ciply
↔4.15 mi ↗+102 ft ↘-98 ft ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Frameries (Hainaut)
A lovely route along country lanes and footpaths. Discover the beautiful Noirchain slag heap and the secret paths of the old Ciply quarries. Lovely views from the fields and the charm of shaded paths make for a pleasant walk, despite the noise of the motorway at the very end of the route.

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.