Park in the CRIE car park.
As you leave the car park, turn left and follow one of the two signposted routes.
Route taken: green arrows – 6.5 km
Bird Trail at the Marais d’Harchies
Discover one of Wallonia’s richest natural sites!
Located in the Haine Valley, this 550-hectare area is a wetland of international importance (Natura 2000). This flat route, accessible to all (pushchairs welcome), takes you through vast reed beds, ponds and woodland, offering numerous vantage points from which to admire herons, ducks and, with a bit of luck, the elusive bittern.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 4.20 mi -
Average duration: 2h 15 -
Difficulty: Easy -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 377 ft -
Descent: - 381 ft -
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Highest point: 217 ft -
Lowest point: 43 ft
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Country:
Belgium
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City:
Bernissart -
Start/End: N 50.4659° / E 3.672407° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 2605E -
Hour-by-hour weather
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 217 ft - Les Câtillons
- 1 : mi 0.64 - alt. 62 ft - Fork in the road
- 2 : mi 1.47 - alt. 52 ft - Ponds
- 3 : mi 2.5 - alt. 79 ft - Ancien canal
- 4 : mi 2.99 - alt. 72 ft - Pommeroeul Central Observation Point - Ancien canal
- S/E : mi 4.2 - alt. 213 ft - Les Câtillons
Reviews and comments
5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
5 / 5
jean-marie 59144
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 28, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
I’m familiar with this route; the walk is easy and very pleasant. This spot is popular with birdwatchers and those who enjoy photographing marsh birds. I’d recommend this route.
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Other walks in the area
Canals and Marshes in Bernissart
Visorando Member
10.33 mi
+66 ft
-69 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Bernissart (Hainaut)
This walk takes you on a discovery of the Harchies Marshes, follows the towpath of the old Antoing-Pommerœul canal, joins the RAVeL of the old railway line linking Blaton to Bernissart, goes around Lake Bernissart and finally takes you into the countryside on the old railway line (not developed) that linked the Sartis coal mine to Bernissart station.
River, railway and geological heritage trail in Bernissart
6.94 mi
+115 ft
-115 ft
3h 15
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Departure from Bernissart (Hainaut)
A walk that follows the old Pommeroeul–Antoing and Blaton–Ath canals, takes the old L80/78A Blaton–Bernissart railway line, and ends with country lanes running alongside the geological trail of the Bernissart Museum.
A picturesque corner of the Borinage and the Harchies Marshes
8.11 mi
+79 ft
-108 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Bernissart (Hainaut)
This is an easy walk to visit a picturesque corner of the Borinage region along old miners' paths and discover the charm of the Harchies marshes.
Belœil – Hyon
14.45 mi
+207 ft
-279 ft
6h 50
Difficult
Departure from Belœil (Hainaut)
This eighth stage is certainly not the most pleasant part of this tour of Wallonia, as it passes through a heavily built-up area. Nevertheless, it is interesting to explore the Borinage not only through its countryside but also through its towns. You’ll find both aspects here. Accommodation with a local host.
La Mer de Sable, the Fontaine Bouillante and the Blaton-Ath Canal
6.41 mi
+171 ft
-144 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Belœil (Hainaut)
An easy walk accessible to all at Mer de Sable, in the undivided forest of Stambruges, to discover the Fontaine Bouillante and return along the Blaton-Ath canal on the towpath.
Circular Chabaud-Latour in Bonsecours
11.72 mi
+230 ft
-240 ft
5h 35
Moderate
Departure from Condé-sur-l'Escaut (Nord)
This circular route connects the Chabaud-Latour Pond to the Bonsecours Forest in Péruwelz. Along the route, you can see the Fosse Ledoux headframe and its slag heap, the Bernissart Fire Machine and the Basilica of Our Lady of Bon-Secours in Péruwelz.
The Ath-Blaton Canal between Belœil and Stambruges
7.74 mi
+49 ft
-49 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Belœil (Hainaut)
Pleasant walk along the Ath-Blaton Canal and return through the woods of Belœil Castle.
The Stambruges Forest, the Bouillante Spring and Belœil Castle
8.95 mi
+151 ft
-151 ft
4h 15
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Departure from Belœil (Hainaut)
Discover the undivided forest of Stambruges, its avenues and paths, and the mystery of the Fontaine Bouillante. Follow the narrow streets of Belœil and Stambruges and marvel at the Château du Prince de Ligne, the ‘Belgian Versailles’.
Two other walks are available: “The Ath-Blaton Canal between Belœil and Stambruges” and “The Mer de Sable, the Fontaine Bouillante and the Blaton-Ath Canal”. This one is intended as a summary of the two (excluding the Mer de Sable) but follows different paths and lanes.
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