Intro:
Only a short hike this time. The GR 129 trail enters the city of Mons and it would be a sin not to spend some more time in this place.
The capital of the province of Hainaut with its little winding streets and many sightseeing opportunities is worth more than just a little visit.
Although short, the preceding hike also was interesting enough not to get boring. We certainly didn't regret this combination hike / city visit.
Back and forth:
To get to the train station of Jurbise we first took the train from Antwerpen to Bruxelles-Midi. There we boarded an IR train to Quevy. The trip took us 1 h. 45 min.
Returning from Mons is easy. There's a train going to Bruxelles-Midi every hour, and from there it's no problem to get to Antwerpen.
The hike:
From the train station of Jurbise it's still a 2 km. hike to get to the point where we left the GR 129 trail last time. From there the trail makes its way through the fields to the village of Erbisoeul (part of Jurbise).
There's a train station about one and a half kilometer further, although the village itself is also situated along the railway track. The reason? We can only guess. Anyway, that station is the spot where the GR 123 trail - keeping us company since Attre - leaves our GR 129 trail.
The hike now leads us into the Bois de Ghlin and when leaving this forest a few kilometers further we find ourselves in front of the chapel Notre-Dame du Mouligneau. In the 15th century a hermit would have lived here and in the 17th century Mother Mary miraculously stopped a pest plague that was wiping out the local population. The name refers to a watermill (moulin in french) that once was situated at this place. The charming chapel is surrounded by a handful of older houses and farm buildings, and there's even a café, ideal for a pitstop after almost 7 km. hiking.
(clik the picture to watch the complete series)
The trail continues along the edge of the forest, briefly crosses the adjacent Bois Brûlé (Burned Forest), and then heads for the city of Mons.
We cross the E19 highway using a pedestrians bridge. Under our feet patient drivers are biding their time in a long queue. It's a nice sight as long as you're not part of the queue. Somewhat further we have to cross a channel. Here the trail uses a railway bridge. Finally we end up at the Grand Large. It's an artificial lake of 40 ha. dug out at the intersection of the channel Nimy - Blaton - Peronnes and the Canal du Centre. The place is strategic because it connects the inland navigation system between France and the Netherlands. The project got a European label, and of course a prestigious marina was part of the plans. Despite all this we only got an impression of a place that has known better times. Positive is that a brandnew sports and swimming complex shows us that efforts are on the way to turn the place once again into an attractive recreational area.
After this wet interlude we really enter the city of Mons. The GR 129 trail includes a lot of the highlights this city has to offer. But even so, it would be a pity not to spend some more time here. That's exactly what we did and we can only recommend to do the same to all those that pass by Mons. You won't regret it.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
