BeautifulMMRouteInBelgiumLightVersion

This is a slightly shortened version of the medium version of "My Most Beautiful Route in Belgium" (141 km instead of 169).
The various versions of this route allow cyclists of different abilities and endurance levels to mostly ride this beautiful route together.
In this version, three climbs have been removed: Côte du bois de Cerfontaine, Rue de la Prelle, and the Barrage de Ry de Rôme.
Four dreamy sections of about 60 km from the RAVel bike network (Ravel.wallonie.be) serve as connecting routes.
The route consists of a backbone of about 35 km, supplemented by four loops.
In this description, I provide the following parameters in parentheses for all important climbs:
• Length
• Elevation gain (approximately according to my Garmin)
• Maximum gradient
• Number of Cotacol points (Source: "Encyclopedia Cotacol 1,000" – ISBN 1990/2925/2). If the climb is not quoted in this work or if I choose a different way partially, I make an estimate and put “+-“ in front.
The route begins at the “Manoir de la Motte” in Boussu-en-Fagne. I have created a POI from this.
1. Backbone.
From Boussu to Mariembourg and there take the RaVel 2 (La Petite Fagnarde) at the old station. 10 km almost flat in the valley, mostly in the woods, to Matagne-la-Petite, where it continues towards Vierves-sur-Viroin. Then the N99 towards Petigny, where you turn right to return to Boussu over two climbs.
Climbs:
Les Monts (1,000 m; 62 m; 12%; 76p)
La Longue Haie (650 m; 60 m; 14%; 80p)
2. Loop 1
This loop starts in Boussu and Fagne.
From Boussu to Chimay through a hilly landscape past some picturesque villages like Lompret. By the way, there's a beautiful terrace there (l’Eau Blanche). From Chimay, you take the RAVel towards Belgium’s largest lake complex (Les Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure). This route leaves this bike path to join the longer version south of Cerfontaine via rue de Mariembourg and from there return to Boussu, where you come back to the backbone, about 2 km from the start. With this change, you skip the Côte du Bois de Cerfontaine.
Loop 2
This loop starts in Vierves-sur-Viroin.
You climb a hill south of Vierves and ride from Oignies-en-Thiérache to Olloy-sur-Viroin along the N990, almost parallel to the RAVel bike path from Loop 3. You reach Loop 3 at the foot of Rue de la Prelle.
Climb:
Côte de Vierves (Le Mesnil) (6,000 m; 245 m; 8%; +-195p). I find this easy-running narrow path through the dense “bois de Treignes” along the Ry de Wel to be one of the most beautiful climbs in Belgium.
Loop 3
This loop takes place partly in France. Rue de la Prelle is removed and a bit further you ride to the Meuse, where the route transitions into a stunning flat RAVel of more than 30 km, just a few meters from the Meuse in a beautiful valley. A bit behind Fumay, the route is also shortened a few kilometers along the Meuse. After the Trou du Diable, you ride from Oignies-en-Thiérache to Olloy-sur-Viroin as in Loop 2, but this time on the beautiful RAVel bike path, which runs almost parallel to the N990. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful bike paths in Belgium.
Climbs
Trou du Diable (5,100 m; 256 m; 11%; 241p). The first 2.5 km are slightly ascending. At the point where you enter Belgium (whether intentionally or not exactly where the bike path ends), the last 2.5 km begin with an average of 8%. A kilometer from the top, you pass the ‘Centre de l’Europe des 15’. Too bad for the guys that Europe has meanwhile been greatly expanded and the “center” is now certainly much further east. I have created a POI from this.
Loop 4 will be removed.