Three slag heaps near La Louvière

Park in the car park on Avenue Léopold III.

(S/E) Leave the car park and head left for about 120 m, towards the south-east; the path runs alongside the Albert^I slag heap.

(1) At the junction, take the path that climbs diagonally and continue to the top.

(2) Then head back down the same path to the starting point.

(S/E) Continue straight ahead. Follow the path as it curves to the left, running alongside Rue du Château Fagnart for just over 400 m and leaving a path on your right.

(3) Cross the road carefully and take Rue de l’Égalité opposite. Continue in the same direction for 1,100 m. After the bridge, turn right onto Rue des Francs.

(4) Turn right onto Rue du Quesnoy and follow it until you reach the second power line.

(5) Turn left and take the path that begins after the two towers marking its start, heading towards the Terril du Quesnoy.

(6) At the junction, take the path that climbs to the summit (quite steep in places) for just over 500 m.

(7) After exploring this broad summit, head right towards the other summit to the east-northeast. Then, once you reach the summit, turn back and take the path below. Follow this path, which heads west (the route followed by the track). Follow the path as it descends quite steeply towards the northeast. The total distance is just over 700 m.

(8) At the crossroads, continue the descent along one of the many paths found here (the easiest is to follow the track) for 350 m. Be careful, as the slopes can be steep.

(9) Turn right when you reach the junction.

(10) At the crossroads, turn diagonally left to reach a road.

(11) Follow this road to the left and continue for 1.4 km.

(12) When you reach the first houses, stay on the main road for 200 m (do not turn right as this leads to the four-lane N55 national road, which is too dangerous to cross).

(13) Take Rue Balasse on the right for just under 750 m to go under the main road.

(14) Then turn right onto the hairpin bend that will soon run alongside the main road for 1.2 km. Pass the access to the road on the right.

(15) Turn left onto the hairpin bend for about 50 m as you enter the woods. Take the very steep path on the left, then, after coming out onto a flat path, continue round the Saint-Emmanuel slag heap for just over 700 m.

(16) Take the path on the left which goes downhill and branches off to the right. Follow it, going round the second peak of the slag heap and returning to the entrance to the woods.

(15) Then take the path on the left towards the Albert^I slag heap. The whole route is 1.8 km.

(17) Cross the road, then head straight ahead and turn right, taking the path through the undergrowth. Then turn left onto the path leading back to the car park (S/E).

Make sure you’re wearing sturdy footwear as some of the slopes are very steep, both uphill and downhill.

• Beautiful panoramic views from the top of the slag heaps.
• Nearby, the Strepy Thieux boat lift and the old canal with its locks.