The best walks and hikes in Hainaut

The Plate-Taille Dam is located in southern Belgium in Wallonia, on the border of the provinces of Namur and Hainaut. The dam is situated near the villages of Froidchapelle and Cerfontaine and forms the central element of the Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure lake district, the largest artificial lake complex in the country. This area covers approximately 1800 hectares and consists of several interconnected lakes that together form a unique landscape of open water, wooded hills, and extensive recreational zones. Due to its location between the Ardennes and the Fagne, the area has a varied and gently rolling terrain. The origin of the dam dates back to the 1970s when Belgium faced water management problems. The Sambre River, an important waterway for industry and shipping, experienced highly fluctuating water levels. During dry periods, the water level dropped too low, which had economic consequences. To solve this problem, an ambitious project was launched, including the construction of a series of dams on the Eau d’Heure River and its tributaries. The construction of the Plate-Taille dam began around 1974 and was completed in 1981. As a result of its construction, five lakes were created: * Plate Taille (the largest and deepest) * Eau d’Heure * Falemprise * Ry Jaune * Féronval The construction brought about a major change for the region. Certain areas were submerged, and residents had to relocate. At the same time, this project laid the foundation for a new economic model based on tourism and recreation. The Plate-Taille dam is the largest dam in Belgium and an impressive example of modern hydraulic engineering. The Plate Taille lake itself has a surface area of approximately 350 hectares and is the largest and deepest lake in Belgium. The dam holds back an enormous mass of water and literally forms the heart of the entire lake district. One of the dam's main functions is energy generation through a pumped-storage power plant. * Capacity: ± 140 megawatts * Number of turbines: 4 (reversible) * Type: pumped-storage power plant System Operation The system operates on a clever principle: * During low energy demand, water is pumped to a higher reservoir. * During high energy demand, the water flows back down through turbines, generating electricity. This makes the plant particularly valuable for stabilizing the electricity grid, especially in combination with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Around the dam lies a surprisingly rich nature reserve. The combination of water, forests, and open plains ensures great biodiversity. The landscape is characterized by: * Dense deciduous and coniferous forests * Open grasslands * Reed beds along the banks * Quiet bays and small islands Animals found here include: * Roe deer * Foxes * Waterfowl such as grebes and cormorants * Birds of prey The creation of the lakes has led to new ecosystems where flora and fauna have adapted to the water-rich environment. For someone who enjoys long and challenging hikes, like myself, this area is ideal, and you can easily create routes of several hours here without much crowds. 🚴‍♂️ Cycling and Recreation Besides hiking, the area is also popular with: * Road cyclists (hilly terrain) * Mountain bikers * Families (flat cycling paths around the lakes) There are well-maintained cycling routes that connect the entire lake district. 🚤 Water Sports and Activities The Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure are the center for water sports in Belgium. Possibilities: * Sailing * Kayaking * Windsurfing * Diving (in certain zones) * Swimming Motorized water sports are permitted to a limited extent, which contributes to a relatively calm and natural atmosphere. 🧭 Tourist Facilities The area is highly developed for visitors without losing its natural charm. Key attractions: * Skywalk Plate-Taille – a panoramic tower with views over the entire area * Natura Parc L’Eau d’Heure – adventure park with climbing routes and zipline * Marinas and beach areas * Holiday parks and campsites This makes the area suitable for both day trips and longer stays.

The castle of Anvaing is a strictly symmetrically built water castle with four corner towers. Dating from the 19th century, the castle is the main residence of the Count de Lannoy. Stephanie de Lannoy, the Grand Duchess consort of Luxembourg, grew up in this castle with her family. The 18th-century gardens are French in style and were laid out at the behest of the Marquis Jean de Mesgrigny. The large pond by the castle is filled with water from the neighboring river, the Rhosnes. On May 28, 1940, the castle was the scene of an important historical event: the Belgian capitulation to the Germans was signed there. The castle is not open to the public... but from the street side, you get a beautiful view of the castle and its reflection in the pond. For a few years now, wine has been cultivated on the castle estate. In 2022, the first vines were planted on the estate, located on a south-facing slope with a well-draining loamy-calcareous soil. On an area of three hectares, there are approximately 18,000 Chardonnay and 2,000 Pinot Meunier vines, which equates to a relatively high planting density of around 6,600 vines per hectare compared to the Belgian average. The chosen rootstocks and planting density are intended to produce grapes with a high concentration. The estate focuses primarily on the production of still wines from a single grape variety. Source: Wikipedia

The Pays des Collines (Land of Hills) is a land of legends and folklore. In Ellezelles, witches still haunt the village, and their representations can be seen in front of the church… They serve as a reminder that in 1610, five women were condemned to be burned at the stake for witchcraft. The Sentier de l’Étrange (Trail of the Strange) is an artistic walk that leads visitors to discover the works of Jacques Vandewattyne (1932-1999), also known as Watkyne, who resurrected all these myths and beliefs, passed down orally since time immemorial.

Hello, the photos do not really correspond to the existing paths (apart from the weather) which are much worse today.

Nice little moated castle.

Please note that depending on the plantations, currently corn, the view is obstructed.

Beautiful hike, I was just expecting to see the lake but that is not the case, we go around it but not close!

In the photo it's a quarry but work has been done and now it's quite flat