Raismes-Escautport: along refreshing bodies of water, through shady forests

Shortly after departure, you walk on the edge of the Raismes-Saint Amand-Wallers State Forest towards a first slag heap (wooded) that, because of the slope, you do not know.

Past the ponds of the three mortars, three elongated and interlocking lakes and a magnificent biotope created by a gigantic subsidence, you walk towards the Fosse Sabatier, well n ° 2.

After a short walk along the lake, you climb with yellow-red GRP Bassin Minier Nord-Pas de Calais 'in switchbacks' the highest mountain of the day, the (semi) wooded 'Terril de Raismes Sabatier' (World Heritage!). At the top of this 100-meter-high rocky mess, you can enjoy a wide 360° unobstructed view. It's enjoying the top shelf (tip: bring binoculars)! Go down, leave the PRV, and continue without tarring towards "our" third slag heap: the Terril du Lavoir-Rousseau, No climb! You can easily walk north. After picking up another striped GRP, you cross a black-grey lunar plain towards the Ancienne Fosse Lagrange and the accompanying slag heap. The "black country" in all its glory. Those who are fit enough can venture on an ascent. You leave the industrial heritage for good and walk with the GRP on the bed of an old railway towards Escautport. A little further you are in front of the Café Le Toscan where Hervé & Coco provide their chip shop (soup, sunny terrace, ....). You have approx. 9.3 km on foot.

You partially retrace your steps and reach after approx. 1.6 km again at the edge of the huge Raismes-Sant Amand-Wallers state forest. For approx. 11 km you walk through a cordon of beautiful narrow and wide, grassy or dusty, sometimes a little muddy ... forest roads not paved by a young man (because largely destroyed during the First World War), aerated and well-maintained forest overgrown with oak, hornbeam and, to a lesser extent, Scots pine. Avoid tripping over the many wild boar digging jobs and connect with the GR 121.

With the ascent of the Mont des Ermites, a calf's bite, you pass the cemetery of Raismes (quiz: who will find the war grave?) out of this beautiful forest and you find yourself in the vast and beautifully landscaped Nature & Leisure Park of Raismes near the starting point.