On the way to a piece of mining region in Hainaut

Description

I depart from the church in Thumaide and follow the road to the Nimy-Blaton-Péronnes canal and see the forests in the distance. Along the canal, I pass the Bon-Secours forest where there is supposed to be a treetop walkway.

At the Pommeroeul-Antoing canal, I leave the canal towards Pommeroeul. On the way, I pass the marshes of Harchies and continue towards Thulin and Dour. Along this stretch, I often ride on busier roads (this happens often when you cycle in Hainaut), to then start a climb along a muddy path in the forest of Colfontaine.

The forest of Colfontaine was threatened with destruction by mining, but it still exists thanks to a large popular demonstration in 1907. At the edge of the forest, I still see a remnant of mining: the Sauwartan Terril, one of the many in the region.

The way back was pleasant cycling along Bossu, the Nimy canal, and RAVeL paths. A varied route, sometimes a busy road, especially around Dour.

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