Routes (45)

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• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Discover the historic centre of Mons

  A city on a human scale with a thousand treasures waiting to be discovered. For those who want to see the main features, this walk will take you through the medieval lanes in the historic heart of Mons ... just follow the guide!

  • 
    02 h 00 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 1.5 km

• Cycle route: Mons – SILEX'S – Mons

  This route designed by ProVélo and Mons’ Maison des Cyclistes cycling centre connects Mons’ Grand-Place to SILEX’S, the interpretation centre of the archaeological site of the Neolithic Mines of Spiennes, which are UNESCO classified. An exceptional site where going down a mine is the highlight of a trip (advance bookings is required, on +3265335580). The outward trip between Mons and SILEX’S is as direct as possible; the return offers you a slight detour through the low-traffic roads of villages in the immediate vicinity of Mons. A route designed by not-for-profit organisation PRO VÉLO Maison des Cyclistes du Hainaut (bike point) in Mons. Source: http://www.provelo.org/fr/tour/idees-balades/minieres-neolithiques-spiennes

  • 
    02 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 17.89 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Quaregnon route

  As you explore the Borinage, Quaregnon will undoubtedly leave an indelible impression on you, so rich is the city’s history. Marked profoundly by its industrial history and mining operations, it still retains traces of its past activities. Its hiking trails over slag heaps, its town hall, its cultural events and its local produce are of course included in that. Quaregnon will amaze you with its diversity!

  • 
    02 h 00 m

    medium

  Longueur du parcours: 17.84 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

• 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

• 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

• Circuit de la Goutrielle

  Rallye pédestre exclusivement consacré à la découverte de la nature et du patrimoine bâti local. Découvrez Montignies-sur-Roc, l’un des plus beaux villages de Honnelles qui a su conserver son caractère et son charme. Vous pouvez vous procurer une brochure reprenant le tracé de la promenade ainsi qu’un jeu didactique basé sur celle-ci en vous rendant au point de départ (Centre de Rencontres et d’Hébergement "La Goutrielle"). Ce circuit a été réalisé par le CRH et le Parc Naturel des Hauts-Pays. Point de départ: CRH La Goutrielle Rue Goutrielle, 37 7387 Honnelles

  • 
    01 h 00 m

    easy

  Longueur du parcours: 2.28 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

• 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

• 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

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