The Ath-Blaton Canal between Belœil and Stambruges

Pleasant walk along the Ath-Blaton Canal and return through the woods of Belœil Castle.

Details

4065464
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.45 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 15 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 15 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 73 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 53 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the gymnasium car park, Rue Eugène Lebailly in Stambruges.

(S/E) Head towards the nearby cemetery and take the path that starts to the left of the cemetery. At the end of the path, turn left along the canal, follow it, ignoring all paths and streets, until you reach the hamlet of Les Écacheries.

(1) Cross the street and continue along the canal until you reach the Malterie buildings.

(2) Just before the industrial buildings, take the path on the left, then turn immediately right.

(3) Turn left onto Rue de Mons and follow it to the next major crossroads.

(4) Continue to the roundabout at the end of the square.

(5) Turn left onto Rue du Château and follow it until the first street on the right.

(6) Turn right onto Chemin du Major. Enjoy the view of the park and the Princes de Ligne castle.

(7) Turn left onto the lane leading into the castle woods and follow it to the edge of the woods.

(8) Turn left onto a path between the field and the woods, which joins Rue des Meuniers.

(9) Follow Rue des Meuniers to the right.

(10) At the end of the street (old mill), turn left towards Stambruges via Rue des Meuniers, Rue Antoine Gosselin and Rue du Roi Georges, which are all extensions of each other.

(11) Turn right onto Rue Émile Janson and continue straight on Rue Eugène Lebailly, where you will find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 58 m - Gymnasium car park. Towards - Canal Blathon-Ath - Belgique
  2. 1 : km 3.55 - alt. 59 m - Les Écacheries
  3. 2 : km 4.78 - alt. 61 m - Malt house
  4. 3 : km 5.08 - alt. 63 m - Route de Mons
  5. 4 : km 5.52 - alt. 61 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 5.75 - alt. 59 m - Roundabout
  7. 6 : km 6.37 - alt. 54 m - Near the Major's Fountain.
  8. 7 : km 6.58 - alt. 53 m - Remains of a swing bridge
  9. 8 : km 9.61 - alt. 62 m - Edge of the woods
  10. 9 : km 11.12 - alt. 56 m - Rue des Meuniers
  11. 10 : km 11.5 - alt. 57 m - Old mill
  12. 11 : km 12.1 - alt. 56 m - Rue E. Janson
  13. S/E : km 12.45 - alt. 58 m - Gymnasium car park

Notes

Quick access from the E42 - exit 27 (Bernissart).
Accessible by bus (TEC 81 line) from Ath and Blaton stations.

If the gymnasium car park is full, there are a few spaces available in the cemetery car park.

Parking and access to the right of (8).
There are a few shops and taverns between (7) and (8) along the route.

Worth a visit

The park and Beloeil Castle are open to visitors. Information here.

Nearby: the Mer de Sable sandpit in Stambruges.

A few kilometres away: the Iguanodon Museum in Bernissart, the Stone Museum in Basècles, the Basècles brewery, the Harchies marshes, etc.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Nine 68
Nine 68

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Lots of tarmac, very monotonous. Best avoided on hot days, as there isn't much shade.

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jacques urbain
jacques urbain

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, but a bit too straight

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ArinaTomberg
ArinaTomberg

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and peaceful walk divided into two parts: the first along the picturesque Ath-Blaton canal and the second in the Beloeil forest. Unfortunately, the castle and park are currently closed, otherwise you could extend your walk with a visit to the castle.

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Olivier payelle
Olivier payelle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk with stunning autumn colours.

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Clout59
Clout59

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A relatively pleasant route along the canal, which is mostly shaded.
The return trip through Beloeil Wood is rather monotonous, with long, endless straight stretches.
The main attraction of this route is the opportunity to make a short detour to visit the castle and its grounds halfway along the route.

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marco160
marco160

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, varied walk along the water

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Philippa
Philippa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant, varied and easy hike

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