Sauwartan from Le Petit Dour

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.

Details

n°6956314

Creation:
27 Mar 2021

Last update:
22 Mar 2022

Last review:
17 Aug 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 2.34 mi
Average duration: 1h 10
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 85 ft
Descent: - 102 ft
Highest point: 436 ft
Lowest point: 328 ft

Country: Belgium
City: Dour
Start/End: N 50.383612° / E 3.822027°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2706OT
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Photos

Description of the walk

Parking available near the cemetery.

(S/E) From the cemetery car park, walk down Rue du Cimetière towards the woods and enter them. Follow the path to the Ruisseau d’Elwasmes.

(1) Follow the path to the left until you reach the remains of the Sauwartan colliery.

(2) Climb the short, steep slope or follow the path to the remains of the Sauwartan coal mine, then head back down the path towards the south (marked route).

(3) Take the path on the right and go straight on at the junction.
Then turn left and follow the path down to Rue Mouligneau.

(4) Turn left onto this street and head towards the site of the old watermill. Walk up the street on the right, then turn left onto Voie de Sars. Turn left onto Rue du Cimetière. Say hello to “Nounours” if he’s there, and make your way back to the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 413 ft - Car park near the cemetery
1 : mi 0.67 - alt. 328 ft - Elwasmes Stream
2 : mi 0.92 - alt. 397 ft - Former Sauwartan charcoal kiln
3 : mi 1.05 - alt. 404 ft - Turn right at the fork
4 : mi 1.53 - alt. 390 ft - Rue Moulingneau
S/E : mi 2.34 - alt. 413 ft - Car park near the cemetery

Notes

At the entrance to the woods, a spring has appeared on the path, so you’ll need to walk on the right-hand side of the path to avoid the water if you’re not wearing waterproof shoes.

Worth a visit

(2) Sauwartan.
(4) Moulin du Moulineau.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
4 / 5

User 30053441

17 Aug 2026 at 10:21 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with my dogs – wild and off the beaten track. At this time of year, when there had been some storms, a few trees were blocking certain paths (which didn’t bother me), but it’s not suitable for pushchairs or bikes, as the paths are only accessible on foot.
An unusual walk through the woods with a water source for the dogs

Machine-translated

1U6

19 Apr 2021 at 09:48 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to do with young children, with hardly any elevation gain and a varied route … mostly through the woods and then across the countryside.
The site of the old coal mine is quite spectacular.
We spotted lots of birds and a roe deer crossed the path just a few steps away from our group.