Routes (49)

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• 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

• 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

• Hensies & Quiévrain - Wetlands

  This ride crosses the countryside of Hensies and Quiévrain, characterised by swamps and wetlands. Hensies is bathed in the sweetness of a budding spring. On this sun-bathed route, the first kilometres are an opportunity to stretch your legs since the path is not particularly difficult. In the plain of Quiévrain, paths and small roads travel between wetlands. On the map, the small roads weave a giant spider's web here as reparcelling has facilitated access to fields and helped create these unpaved roads, which are perfect for bike touring! The nearby marshes of Harchies have left a number of wetlands in the landscape. The road is quiet, pleasant and free of any traffic as you approach the urbanized area of Boussu. Splendor and radiance characterise its castle, which was born in Charles V’s time. From the town centre, the RAVeL reaches into the past with the old coal mines of Dour and reaches into the future as it runs along a wind turbine field. In less than a century, a fossil fuel will have been replaced by wind fuel…

  • 
    02 h 50 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 30.65 km

• Boussu, au fil de l'eau

  A route that glides along the Haine, in the heart of a wetland, on of the most unexpected natural reserves in this industrial region. Start in the greenery of the park of the Boussu chateau where there is a magnificent reed bed. Here we are in the heart of a wetland of over 760 ha that the water board will allow to dry out. Continue this tour along the water, cutting through the levees – with natural filtration, the Saubin is a good example of natural clean up. From these peaceful landscapes, we return to the most austere tailing dumps of shafts 7 and 8 of Hornu. These black mountains, immense, witness to the mining activities that prevailed there. Like the RAVeL along the old Warquignies station, which housed all the skips from the mines – 42 tracks, rotary hubs – nothing is left... Just before reaching the centre, a short detour to the left brings us to the Desevaux brewery.

  • 
    03 h 30 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 10.52 km

• Moneuse route: the Houlette massacre - Honnelles

  This route takes you in the footsteps of Antoine-Joseph Moneuse, the famous bandit and Captain of the Chauffeurs du Nord. During this walk, you’ll relive this dark day of 22 November 1795. At that date, one of the most bloody events to have hit our region took place: the Houlette massacre. Moneuse was soon suspected of being the perpetrator of this heinous crime that killed nine people. But the truth is never simple ... Through the fields and paths of Roisin and Meaurain and the French village of La Flamangrie, you’ll have to cross the Franco-Belgian border several times where our region was torn between Austria and France, recalling a troubled period of history. 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: 9.76 km

• Montignies-sur-Roc, sweet life

  The undulating hills surround Montignies-sur-Roc, a rural country where one finds the sweetness of life in the Hauts-Pays. From the village square, we follow the paved road which takes us to the paths of the Hauts-Pays. Far from the cities and heavy industry, we breathe. At Autreppe, the hills and the forest merge and obscure the horizon. We enter the valley carved by the Honnelle. A steep descent and we are there at the foot of the Caillou qui Bique, the legendary rock where poet Emile Verhaeren liked to recharge. We go up the course of the river to rejoin the RAVeL upstream. It will take us to the entrance of Audregnies. A short detour via a secret trail brings us to the Brasserie de l’Abbaye des Rocs and the little shop of the Pype-Lievens Farm, producing delicious white cheeses, camamberts and yoghurts. Here you will be greeted by the charming smile of these producers, in harmony with the welcoming side of the Hauts-Pays Nature Park.

  • 
    04 h 00 m

    hard

  Longueur du parcours: 11.97 km

• In the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh in the Borinage

  From the “Maison du Marais” in Cuesmes to the former “Marcasse” coalmine in Colfontaine, explore Mons-Borinage and the sites visited by Van Gogh during his time in the region.

  • 
    03 h 00 m

    hard

  Longueur du parcours: 48.57 km

• Frameries, land of memories

  Magnificent route through the mining countryside of Borinage, today become green and very nice. Soon after leaving the PASS, we come into a land steeped in history. In the 19th century, Borinage experienced its incredible Industrial Revolution. In 23 mines and 63 shafts, 20,000 workers laboured in difficult conditions. Seeing the remains on the road, such as this slag heap of Belle Couple, our imagination lets use delve in this other time. Further on, the trail meanders around a birch grove, covering a former colliery. At the edge, fields and meadows lead us towards little houses that seem crushed by the mass of the Héribus slag heap. On the slope, butterflies and birds circle around us. Today, the slag heaps are havens of peace for wild fauna and flora. Nature has provided a sweet revenge for the work of men...

  • 
    05 h 00 m

    hard

  Longueur du parcours: 16.22 km

• From Meaurain to Givry, the flavours route

  Discover the drive in the Hauts-Pays Natural Park, assuredly a land of plenty! Meaurain is one of these charming villages of the Hauts-Pays. The closed storefronts of former shops witness to the activity that once prevailed there – trade and contraband were the region’s misfortune and fortune… From the village, the route takes us across the gentle treed countryside with hedges and fruit trees here and there. From Angreau to Givry the route continues, with exciting discoveries and very rich human encounters. The artisans of this route are true ambassadors of this captivating country.

  • 
    04 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 35.61 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Colfontaine route

  Here’s a bike tour that explores the many facets of Colfontaine. Its narrow streets, its history with Van Gogh, the coal mine of Marcasse, its forest and its heritage... You start by coming from Mons via the Ravel!

  • 
    01 h 30 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 14.65 km

• Mons, Historical Heart

  Beautiful Mons is at its most beautiful when you tackle it by bike! When you go by bike through the large archway to enter the town hall courtyard, you feel immediately that this ride will be marked by a beautiful discovery. At every street corner, at every turn, Mons the city of art and history will unfold before you. The path joins the Grand Place and goes down rue de Nimy; by bike, you soon realise that the city was built on a promontory. Along the route, the streets seem to flit around its lighthouse (belfry). A little after having followed the Théâtre le Manège, you enter the intimacy of the city as you ride across Jardin Gustave Jacobs. At the exit alongside ruelle Rachot there is a completely different atmosphere: this is Mons. And seeing the children playing in the street immerses you in the photographic imagery of a certain Doisneau. From Place de la Grande Pêcherie to Place du Parc to Square Rossevelt, Mons is also clearly green. By cycling, the city will have bewitched you…

  • 
    01 h 30 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 6.95 km

• The kilometre of culture

  Modern architecture is at the heart of the Mons 2015 project and constitutes one of its main themes. The integration of architecture into a historic city is a daily challenge that we will always have to face. Discover the kilometre of culture!

  • 
    01 h 00 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 1.65 km

• The Doudou route

  Follow in the footsteps of Saint George and the dragon through the symbolic architectural and artistic heritage sites of Mons.

  • 
    01 h 30 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 1.33 km

• Des dragons dans la ville

  Partez à la découverte des différentes représentations du dragon présentes dans la Ville de Mons.

  • 
    01 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 1.06 km

• 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

• 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

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