Right at the top of the slag heap *

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Climbing a slag heap offers the chance to gain a bird’s-eye view and appreciate the ever-changing nature of the surrounding landscape, whilst observing the traces of both the past and the present.
This circular route, linking Parc de l’Horloge and Terril 107 in Carvin to Parc du Téléphérique and Terril 115 in Libercourt, allows you to explore two protected natural areas, developed around two spoil heaps, which symbolise the regeneration of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais mining basin.

Details

n°4408855
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.76 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 390 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 367 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 289 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 66 ft
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Photos

Slag heap 107
The Parc de l’Horloge
Parc du Tour d’Horloge
Slag heap 115 (known as the ‘cable car’ slag heap)

Description of the walk

To get to the Parc de l’Horloge car park: take the A1 motorway, exit 18, towards Lens. Access the site via the Chemin du Moulin in Carvin.

(S/E) Start the walk by following the bank of the lake on your left, then continue straight along the path until you reach a path coming from the right.

(1) Turn right towards the south and follow the signposts marked ‘De parc en parc’.
Go under the bridge, then, after the sewage treatment works, continue along the path on the right until you reach the junction with the Route d’Oignies.
Head left, south-east along Route d’Oignies, cross over the A1 motorway and carry on straight ahead along Rue des 80 Fusillés until you reach the junction with Rue Henri Cadot.

(2) Turn left towards the north-north-east and carry on straight ahead until you reach the D306. You are now on theGRP® of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin. Follow the yellow and red markings.
On the D306, head east towards Oignies-Libercourt, staying on the cycle path for about 300 metres.

(3) At the signpost, follow theGRP® markings, crossing the D306 to follow the marked path through the woodland which goes round the slag heap on the right until you reach a turn-off to the left.

(4) Leave theGRP® markings and turn left to enter the Terril du Téléphérique site and begin the climb up the slag heap. At the top, turn right and head for the viewpoint.

(5) After the viewpoint, continue along the fence on the narrow path to walk round the slag heap. Once you’ve completed the circuit, head back down the same way to return to the signposted path at the foot of the slag heap.

(4) Turn left onto theGRP® heading north, walk past the Cité de la Faisanderie, then turn right to join the D954.
Follow the D354 to the left, heading north-west, along the cycle path; go past the roundabout, then over the bridge spanning the A1 motorway.

(6) After passing over the railway line, take the small road on the left, which leads onto a path through the woodland. You’ll enter the Parc Tour d’Horloge. There are countless little paths here; the aim is to reach the foot of the slag heap so you can climb it.

(7) At the foot of the slag heap, walk round it in a clockwise direction to find a path that suits you and make your way to the top to enjoy the 360-degree view that unfolds before you.

(8) Once at the top of Terril 107, find a path that suits you to make your way back down to the base of the slag heap.

(7) Follow the paths heading south-west to reach the ponds and the signposted paths that will lead you to the Parc Tour de l’Horloge car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 72 ft - Car park at Parc de l’Horloge
  2. 1 : mi 0.36 - alt. 72 ft - Junction, turn right
  3. 2 : mi 1.66 - alt. 89 ft - Rue Henri Cadot, on the left
  4. 3 : mi 2.32 - alt. 89 ft - D306
  5. 4 : mi 2.58 - alt. 82 ft - Path on the left, climb up the slag heap
  6. 5 : mi 3.26 - alt. 187 ft - Viewpoint at the Cable Car Slope
  7. 6 : mi 6.1 - alt. 95 ft - Small road on the left
  8. 7 : mi 6.87 - alt. 92 ft - Junction for the out-and-back route, climb up the slag heap
  9. 8 : mi 7.02 - alt. 289 ft - Top of Terril 107
  10. S/E : mi 7.76 - alt. 69 ft - Car park at Parc de l’Horloge

Notes

  • Tout in haut deu’ch terril = Right at the top of the slag heap.

No drinking fountains along the route.
Picnic table in Parc de l’Horloge.

Worth a visit

Parc de l’Horloge:
Leisure centre with children’s play area.
Fishing pond.
Viewpoint at the top of Terril 107.

Cable Car Park:
Bird sanctuary.
Viewpoint at the top of Terril 115.

Reviews and comments

3.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
User 10104490

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The path is impassable in places

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Casene
Casene

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The cable car slag heap is really interesting.
The steps are pure joy. A really lovely piece of work. At the bottom, no worries – turn right then left, where you’ll find the TBM.
The clock slag heap is completely untouched by any development 😁😁. You need to be comfortable with this sort of climb or descent 😨🙃
In any case, a brilliant walk (passing over the motorway 😱😱)

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AnneCas
AnneCas

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

We changed our route after about 5 km. I strongly advise against this route, as it is not maintained at all. We felt as though we were walking through a rubbish tip, with the noise of the motorway in the background.
What a disappointment, and what a shame to see so many cans and building rubble…
We finished our walk on the cable car slag heap, where the atmosphere is completely different! The route is still under construction, but it’s so clean and peaceful.

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michel tout court
michel tout court

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely afternoon walk. The paths were passable despite the previous day’s rain. Some of the paths on the first slag heap are currently being restored.

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Visorando Member
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