Explore Mons and the Borinage by bike along former railway lines that have been transformed into green corridors. These gentle routes cross the emblematic landscapes of the old coal mining areas, powerful reminders of the region’s industrial heritage.
Mons, green routes
Utopix_Hyacinthe
Utopix-GeoffreyAbout the activity
Distance
34.6 km
Elevation
52m
Starting from Mons’ Grand-Place, leave the historic city centre and head towards the surrounding suburbs of this thousand-year-old city. Gradually, your ride takes you into the heart of the Borinage, where former railway tracks once used to transport coal now offer beautiful green escapes through an urbanised landscape shaped by its industrial past.
From Cuesmes, follow Line 98 to Flénu, where a former junction once led towards Quiévrain. The route passes near Pâturages railway station, a place steeped in history: in 1878, Vincent Van Gogh stayed in the Borinage for nearly two years, a decisive period in the development of his artistic path.
As you continue this heritage cycling route, imagine the noise and smoke of the past, when coal trains ran continuously between the mining sites. Today, calm and greenery have replaced industrial bustle.
Your journey ends at Grand-Hornu, a remarkable landmark from the early Industrial Revolution, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This exceptional site is home to the MAC’s – Museum of Contemporary Arts and the CID – Centre for Innovation and Design, making it one of Belgium’s leading hubs for artistic creation.
Nodes to follow :
46 > 11 > 17 > 14 > 13 > 62 > 1 > 67 > 76 > 85 > 93 > 59 > 60 > 54 > 85 > 76 > 67 > 23 > 62 > 13 > 11 > 46
General Information
Contact Information
Address
27 Grand-Place,7000 Mons
Documentation
GPX trackGPX / KML files allow you to export the route of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
Plan your route
Want to create your own route? Use our route planner to discover the region at your own pace.