Routes (46)

Back Map

• Saint-Ghislain - Green country

  This pretty ride, which takes you to a canal and a magnificent wood, winds its way through unspoilt countryside, at a stone’s throw from Mons.

  • 
    02 h 10 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 22.24 km

• Parcours-découverte de Saint-Symphorien

  Venez découvrir le village dans ses coins les plus inattendus

  • 
    02 h 00 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 6.42 km

• Hensies, bird paradise

  Upon entering this natural sanctuary, who would imagine that this site was once the location of an industrial operation? Its story is beautiful and reminds us that nature is often the strongest. This magnificent reserve was original a mining site which collapsed in the seventies. The groves and flooded meadows, spaces between wetlands and dry areas are developed, forming reed beds and marshy woods. These marshes are our greatest ornithological reserve in Belgium, hosting thousands of birds, especially during winter gathering. Observation posts have been built on the banks of the ponds. Enter quietly to see from the openings, ducks, mergansers, red-crested pochards, bitterns and other species. Along the reeds a heron flies nonchalantly – we no longer know where to point our binoculars... What a wealth these swamps contain!

  • 
    01 h 10 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 4.26 km

• Honnelles - In the Footsteps of a Poet

  The poet Emile Verhaeren liked relaxing in the Hauts-Pays, a bucolic land which is very pleasant for walking or cycling. To the southwest of Mons is a rural area that opens its heart to whoever cycles across it: welcome to the Hauts-Pays! The gentle terrain and peacefulness of this sparsely populated region bring serenity. Departure in Audregnies and its beautiful square where the road joins the RAVeL, which is interrupted shortly after Onnezies. Here a more forested track begins, towards Caillou-qui-Bique. In summer, the path causes little problems but in winter the often muddy roads is a challenge to cyclists. Just after the Emile Verhaeren space, beautiful villages dot the route. Roisin, Meaurain and Autreppe are all names that sing of the Hauts-Pays, a little-known region but one with some magnificent romantic landscapes. From Montignies¬sur-Roc, the narrow road joins the castle and the pond which are in harmony with the landscape. You will comb through groves and meadows, an idyllic picture of a country landscape where all is harmony and tranquility: an atmosphere that Verhaeren has so well described.

  • 
    02 h 20 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 20.83 km

• Lombise, village country

  A route that leads to discovery of the villages of Lens across a most peaceful region. The peaceful village of Lombise has a rich architectural heritage, such as the classic style chateau dating from 1763 or the Maison du Cocher, of Louis XVI style, in our day a well known restaurant. Along this large property, the route takes us on to Chez Ann Douteur, the opportunity to take several pralines to enjoy them later along the length of the trail... The field paths give way to broad landscapes. In the distance stands the bell tower of the next village – Cambron-Saint-Vincent is set in a depression, not far from the Dendre Orientale. From the centre, we take a short detour to see an old mill, dating from the 19th century. Since 1950 the great wheel has no longer turned – it used to produce five tons of grain each day... Finally, Lens invites you to discover many producers such as the excellent products of the Ferme Raucq or the Ferme Jauniaux, not to mention the local product of the Christine and Pascal Workshop (Lombise) or the Au Fil des Saisons shop at Lens.

  • 
    03 h 30 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 11.03 km

• Montignies-sur-roc, the Epicurean's Route

  Crossing the Haut-Pays by bike where we enjoy stopping at renowned producers. From the square, let’s go down into the picturesque valley formed by the Petite Honnelle. A small hill and here comes the pretty square of Audregnies. It’s an opportunity to stop at the Dufrasnes artisanal bakery and taste the delicious breads, cooked on stone. The Flavours Route goes on, towards Wihéries. There, another bakery is worth the detour. At Chez Joël et Christine, at the ball game square, we take away a small homemade pie – the cyclist remains an Epicurean… The RAVeL, this pretty green channel, takes us quickly to Quiévrain. We get something to eat at ®Bistrot de Terroir, Estaminet, before continuing towards Angreau where one of the taste masters, the chocolatier Druart is located. From Roisin a short detour towards Meaurain, bee country. Just after Autreppe the route follows the ridges that lead us to Onnezies, illuminated by the soft light of late afternoon.

  • 
    04 h 00 m

    hard

  Longueur du parcours: 43.31 km

• Jurbise route

  Jurbise and its villages make up a rural entity which oozes charm. By walking on foot or by bike, you’ll discover its wonderful heritage. This includes excellently maintained castles, chapels and farms, as well as more impressive locations such as the old Locquet fountain or Herchies’ Chêne à clous (nailed oak tree)!

  • 
    03 h 30 m

    medium
  • 
    02 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 21.52 km

• Promenade Natura 2000 Honnelles - Quièvrain : Boucle A

  Cette randonnée passe par le charmant village de Montignies-sur-Roc. Elle contourne ensuite le bois de Audregnies en vous faisant découvrir le château-ferme du même nom, traverse le village d’Audregnies et prend fin à Montignies-sur-Roc. Ce circuit a été réalisé par le Parc Naturel des Hauts-Pays, le Service Public de Wallonie son Département Nature et Forêt.

  • 
    01 h 00 m

    easy
  • 
    01 h 30 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 5.5 km

• Quiévrain Route

  Quiévrain, Audregnies, Baisieux ... This bike tour will expose you to the three villages from different angles, covering heritage, nature, history and recollection through the Mémoire d’Audregnies.

  • 
    01 h 30 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 14.14 km

• L' Art habite la Ville (Art lives in the city)

  Discover also: "Mobilier urbain revisité" In the city centre In collaboration with graphic arts schools in the region, urban furniture elements were decorated for the project. Across the city, tightrope walkers will balance between two posts, and ORES and PROXIMUS terminals will burst with colours. Pierre Liebaert - "Je crois aux nuits" From May 2019 Pierre Liebaert, a young photographer from Mons who regularly exhibits in museums and festivals, has produced four photographs about folklore related to the renewal of the body and nature.

  • 
    02 h 00 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 5.47 km

• Quaregnon, a rich heritage

  A route through urban territory but which for which there is no lack of charm when it comes to climbing the La Flache slag heap. On Monday, Quaregnon is adorned with thousands of colours and fragrances – it’s market day! The stalls are filled with Italian, Moroccan and Turkish products that scent the air. Here beats a bit or the heart of the South. From the Town Square, where the old outline of the church is reproduced, let us go along these streets that have an interesting architectural heritage. An example is the community hall, built in 1939 adjacent to the tower of the Gothic church, dating from the 15th century. We climb or rather clamber up the La Flache slag heap, ending up at an altitude of over 100 m. At the peak, the view takes in a 360° panorama and you can see over 30 km! It also lets you see the size of the Grand-Hornu site. On our return, we go along the imposing Louis Pierard Stadium, erected in 1946. Return to the centre of Quaregnon where we delight in taking in a small Craquegnon (cheese).

  • 
    01 h 30 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 7.29 km

• Moneuse route: miller’s son - Quiévrain

  This route takes you in the footsteps of Antoine-Joseph Moneuse, the famous bandit and Captain of the Chauffeurs du Nord. You’ll go back to the figure’s origins, from his childhood in Saint-Vaast up to his arrival in our region. This will also be an opportunity to talk about the mills. Indeed, himself a miller’s son, Moneuse lived at a time when mills dotted our rural landscapes. Along the way, you’ll find some remnants of them but others have unfortunately completely disappeared. So you’ll sometimes have to close your eyes and use your imagination. Have a good walk and watch out... bandits are about. Route created and put together by Hauts Pays natural park Illustrations Claude Renard

  • 
    01 h 30 m

    medium
  • 
    45 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 5.9 km

• Jurbise - Beautiful Countryside

  Jurbise, a few kilometres to the north of Mons, is not short on charm with Moustier castle, the starting point of this ride. From the town hall, the route snakes through fields: small niches and chapels mark out the way to Egmont castle, from the late Middle Ages. On its foundations, a monastic community established a priory, slightly removed from the world. It is true that on these rearranged routes you get a calm soothing feeling. You silently cycle over bitumen to Herchies. There, a tree of nails stands proudly from a legacy of popular beliefs. Put up in the 1950s, it is the worthy heir of the missing oak, which is more than four centuries old. From the village, you pass through a rural landscape including the hamlets of Gernante and Petite Vacresse, which are peaceful and undoubtedly offer a great quality of life to their inhabitants. At Erbisoeul, leave the road on the right leading to Jurbise golf course, one of the oldest in Belgium and designed at the time by the English garden architect Simpson. The return to Jurbise goes along country roads which are unknown and yet very rural.

  • 
    01 h 50 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 17.65 km

• Ouvrir les murs - Circuit Dolez

  "Dans ce premier parcours "Ouvrir les murs", nous mettrons en évidence les aspects liés à l’habitat, à la rivière, l’eau potable et l’hygiène, et à l’espace du boulevard. Un autre circuit est consacré à la présence militaire, aux équipements collectifs, à la gare et à la liaison gare-Grand-Place. " Ce parcours a été mis au point par l'équipe de Sauvegarde et Avenir de Mons et d'Ouvrir les Murs, en liaison avec l'exposition de l'été 2015 et le livre : Mons 1865-2015, Ouvrir les Murs. Les rues du centre-ville de Mons sont sinueuses, souvent étroites. Mons a en effet gardé en grande partie sa structure médiévale. Cette structure rigoureuse, qui furent construites après le démantèlement en 1861-1865 des fortifications dites "hollandaises". Dans ce parcours, les aspects liés à l'habitat, la rivière, l'eau potable et l'hygiène et l'espace du boulevard seront mis en évidence. Jusqu'en 1865, Mons, ville fortifiée, est restée enfermée dans des fortifications successives (françaises, autrichiennes, hollandaises, ...). De 1861 à 1865, le démantèlement des fortifications va offrir à la ville une vaste superficie pour son développement. Ce développement, souhaité depuis longtemps, et préparé dès le milieu du 19e s., cherchait à résoudre de nombreux problèmes liés au manque d'espace et aux difficultés d'approvisionnement en eau potable. Le parcours va vous faire percevoir plusieurs de ces problèmes et comment la ville y a répondu, principalement dans les décennies qui ont suivi, mais aujourd'hui encore.

  • 
    02 h 00 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 2.78 km

• Mons, Green Routes

  Join the MAC'S by taking the former railway lines, which have become green routes at the heart of the former collieries. Follow the steep fall from the Grand Place to join the suburbs surrounding the ancient city. Your wheels will lead you to the heart of the Borinage. The old railway lines which once transported coal have become wonderful escape routes in an urban landscape marked by its industrial past. From Cuesmes ride along line 98 as far as Flénu where a signal box leading to Quiévrain was once located. Ride alongside the Pâturages station where a young man put down his bag in 1878. Van Gogh stayed in the Borinage almost two years to find artistic expression. Continue along this line, which at the time was full of noise and smoke from the continued cartage of trains carrying coal from the mining sites. You are finally in the Grand-Hornu, testifying to the start of the Industrial Revolution. It is an exceptional structure designated as a UnEsCo World Heritage site which includes the MAC Musée des Arts Contemporains and the CID Centre d’Innovation et de Design, one of the poles of artistic creation in Belgium.

  • 
    03 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 27.63 km

• Quevy, a Misunderstood Land

  Despite Quévy being so close to Mons, time seems to have stood still in this eternally charming place. The first few kilometres of this route snatch you into highly attractive countryside, with its long red brick farmhouses. Here they’re in harmony with the area’s soothing, calm side. You’ll be cycling with a smile on your lips as far as Aulnois. Hedges and groves still dot Quévy. The farms and streams you continuously cycle past will make you yearn after the next hamlet; you’ll be carried away by small roads that offer new scenery at each turn. It will change radically when you enter the Sars-la-Bruyère woods. Luckily, you’re riding and yellow spots dot the ground. Daffodils herald nature awakening. From Genly to Bougnies, the sun is already warming the atmosphere. At which point you’ll want to drop your bike and give yourself a nap in the middle of the field. It will be a well-deserved rest after this 30km ride through a little-known but interesting region.

  • 
    03 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 31.05 km

• Quiévrain, at the country's edge

  A route that takes in the traces of a rich history, unique to these cross-border regions. Leave Quiévrain by taking the RAVeL, a former railway line, which in the 19th and early 20th centuries was the economic artery of Borinage where coal transited. At the wind farm, the route forks and descends down to the Hauts-Pays. The flags in the landscape mark the memorial of the terrible Battle of Audregnies, in August 1914. Here is Audregnies and its magnificent treed square, the largest in Belgium. And the Dufrasnes bakery fits perfectly in this little village. Having slipped a loaf of delicious artisan bread into the backpack for a picnic, we return to the frontier, following the age-old path, one of seven Chaussées de Brunehaut which crisscrossed a whole section of Europe in the Middle Ages. Roads that united people before letters... And Quiévrain, at the gates of France, is at their crossroads.

  • 
    04 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 10.15 km

• Blaugies, between two worlds

  A route that runs between fields and woods, to the discovery of a lovely valley and an industrial heritage. Far from the stereotypes, the Borinage is a green country. Blaugies is a village that lives with the rhythm of hay-making. We move along the country paths, towards the Saint-Ghislain woods which from the 19th century had been the border between two worlds, less than a kilometre apart. On the hand, that of small-scale farmers, on the other, the mine. We are aware of it treading through the woods, here on clay soil, there on coal dust... In the woods, the stream plunges us into a wild world – we even surprise a deer. And yet, going up the path, on the right are found the ruins of the Sauwartan mine, witness of an era when dust, pollution and noise invaded the woods. So things justly return – near the ruins, daffodils appear in season. The black of Borinage is no more...

  • 
    02 h 30 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 7.28 km

• Moneuse Route: the attack on the Belle-Vue collector - Dour

  This route takes you in the footsteps of Antoine-Joseph Moneuse, the famous bandit and Captain of the Chauffeurs du Nord. The municipality of Dour features centrally in any reference to Moneuse’s tumultuous life. Here we will focus on the attack on Joseph-François Delhaye, the coal collector at Belle-Vue coal mine in Élouges. During this walk, you’ll have the opportunity to browse Cocars wood and explore its chapel, known to have been the bandit’s point of reference. You’ll also have to leave the territory of Hauts-Pays natural park to visit Dour and the village of Élouges through paths, narrow roads and a RAVeL. Have a good walk and watch out... Bandits are about. Route created and put together by Hauts-Pays natural park Illustrations Claude Renard

  • 
    02 h 00 m

    medium
  • 
    01 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 6.58 km

• Le top 15 de l’architecture contemporaine

  Come and discover the top 15 of contemporary architecture in Mons and in the Borinage, and change your view of the 20th century heritage. From a selection of projects included in the “Guide to modern and contemporary architecture in Mons & Cœur du Hainaut 1885-2015”, tour a city with a heritage that bets on contemporary architecture as an engine of local and regional development, through the construction and renovation of many public facilities, especially as part of Mons 2015: Mons 2015 Foundation, Mons Memorial Museum, Artothèque, Maison du Design, BAM, Silex, Arsonic, Mundaneum, ... All the projects unveiled here (and many others) are taken from the “Guide to modern and contemporary architecture in Mons & Cœur du Hainaut 1885-2015”, under the direction of Lamya Ben Djaffar and Isabelle De Smet and illustrated with photographs by Olivier Cornil. The book, from a partnership with the UMONS Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, was published in 2015 by the Cellule Architectural Publishers of the Wallonia-Brussels – Mardaga Federation. It is available from the Tourism Office and in all the good bookshops in Belgium and France.

  • 
    02 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 7.22 km

fr nl