Slag heap 75, Pinchonvalles ridge

This itinerary takes you to Europe's longest slag heap, which stretches over 2km and fills an ancient valley. You'll enjoy views over the coalfield and the Artois hills. At times, you'll have the impression of walking along a mountain ridge. An entirely wooded terril, it is a reserve for numerous species.

Technical sheet

1997316
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 83 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 83 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 117 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 34 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking 147 Boulevard Henri Martel, Avion - the car park is opposite the address.

(S/E) The start of the path is at the entrance to the car park, to the right of the gate. Go up a few metres on a sharp bend, the path is straight and then forks to the left.

(1) At the first junction, at the foot of the second plateau, turn right.

(2) Approx. 100m further on, turn left to the west and go deeper into the woods. The path winds around a few bends. You'll come to a staircase that leads to the second plateau.

At the top of the staircase, fork slightly to the left, heading east, to reach the first viewpoint.
Then retrace your steps and follow the ridge, keeping to the left, for around 750m.

(3) West of the second plateau, turn right, then take the stairs on your left to reach the top of the slag heap, the third plateau.

At the top, walk along the fence to catch up with a wide S-shaped path which then descends to the foot of the slag heap.

(4) At the foot of the slag heap, take the right-hand path heading north-east, cross a bicycle gate and follow this wide red path for around 600m.

(5) Fork left onto a smaller downhill path, and you'll reach a more open area.
200m further on, turn left at right-angles on the straight track, heading north between the two rows of trees.

When you come to an old road, before the gate, turn right in a hairpin bend, heading south-east. Follow this road until you return to the red path.

(6) Turn left when you reach the red road, and continue for over 500m. After the right-hand bend, go straight on.

(1) Turn left and take the same road as before to return to the car park(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 34 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.43 - alt. 47 m - Foot of the second tray
  3. 2 : km 0.56 - alt. 47 m - Intersection towards the second plateau
  4. 3 : km 2.05 - alt. 80 m - Foot of the third tray
  5. 4 : km 3.09 - alt. 78 m - Foot of the slag heap
  6. 5 : km 3.71 - alt. 74 m - Towards sparse space
  7. 6 : km 4.46 - alt. 56 m - Intersection chemin rouge
  8. S/E : km 5.46 - alt. 34 m - Car park

Practical information

The walk can be shortened by following the red path directly to points (5) and (6).

You're on a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, so take your rubbish with you. Observe, but don't disturb, the flora and fauna which are so typical of the coalfield.

Take your binoculars and camera for the views.

You're on a historical site, so respect the memory and discover the traces of the past.

In the nearby area

If you want to join the "Terril Unesco Challenge" (51 slag heaps to climb) or just for fun, you can take a selfie at the top of the slag heap and share it with #terrilmania and @terrilmania on Instagram or by email defiterril@gmail.com.

You can also add your stone to the cairn (pile of stones) at the top of the slag heap and mark your ascent of the slag heap forever.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Milie62
Milie62

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Very pretty viewpoints

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Vincent Lemar
Vincent Lemar

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I loved this walk

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Yves Doyen
Yves Doyen

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

belvedere 1 and 2 very nice view

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HugoFR
HugoFR
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk. The slag heap is well laid out and very planted. The view from the top is superb!

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l.ferreira2003
l.ferreira2003

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Top day

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capauri
capauri

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A great nature outing in the heart of the city! we loved it!

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candy59
candy59

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant walk, lots of vegetation and great views from the summit!

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Casene
Casene

In fact, the stairs are being repaired, so the route will have to be redone at a later date.
Otherwise access to the plateau.
Superb views.
Merci à plus

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bidule62
bidule62

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Good description of the walk, 3/4 of which takes place in undergrowth (which is great in these hot weather conditions!).
Lovely views
Do it again, thank you!

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florinesky
florinesky

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant and well explained walk...

Thanks a lot!

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Roch JULLLIEN
Roch JULLLIEN

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We've just done this hike as a refresher after the confinement.
It's very pleasant and varied, with some nice climbs up the stairs.
It also takes us off the paths marked out by the Department, giving us a different view of the slag heap.
We had no trouble finding the car park.

Enjoy the walk!

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DominiqueFacon
DominiqueFacon

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

After climbing the 74 and 74A slag heaps, this slag heap seems quite flat. The route is beautiful but a little monotonous. We had some difficulty finding our car park, as there are very few signs on the route.

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