From La Louviere to Thieu (23 km)

A somewhat late proposal for a hike around the industrial heritage in the Hainaut coal mining area on Saturday. We start in La Louviere, and walking west we make it our aim to climb as many terrils (hills of accumulated mining waste) as we can find to get some climbs out of the otherwise rather flat landscape ;-). In the second half of the hike, things will get greener when we pass the Etangs de Strepy and Bois de la Garenne. At the end of the hike, we will reach the Canal du Centre, where we will have a look at one of the old hydraulic boat lifts, which are UNESCO world heritage sites. On the other side of the canal in Thieu is a summer bar, where we can have our final drink.

As the number of participants is limited, it is important that you manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!).
We will try to keep close to an average speed of about 4.5 km/h. We will walk mainly on unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning (i.e. it may become longer ;-).

●●You can find the gpx track here:
Wikilocs: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/von-la-louviere-nach-thieu-227970578
Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2513174946?share_token=ajzGlkropfPbsgioRc7TIAx7ZfWkwZvuk6xeNV3wAHX425R6ve&ref=wtd

●●Meeting point:
We meet at 9h10 in the main hall of Gare Central in front of Starbucks and take the train at 9.23 (IC 3430 to La Louviere-Sud). We arrive in La Louviere-Sud at 10.25.

●● Train tickets:
Weekend ticket to Thieu is the cheapest option (12.40€)

●● Back to Brussels:
From Thieu there are trains back roughly every hour, either via Mons or via La Louviere.

●● Specifics:
Distance: ca 23 km
Elevation gain: 300m
Net walking time: ca 5.5 h
Weather forecast: Cloudy and coolish

In the unlikely case of too bad weather, we may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the Meetup.com website and/or your emails.

●● What to bring:

• Comfortable hiking clothes &shoes
• rain gear (just in case)
• water and food for the breaks
• sun cream
• Compeed for blisters
• some small money for drinks

●● Basic rules:
Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse.
Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list.

●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability:
You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability.