Erpion is a village north of Lake Plate Taille, one of the lakes of the Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure in South Hainaut. The ideal starting point for a varied walk.

Text and photo Guido Elias

The lake area of Eau d’Heure is a vast protected nature reserve, with 600 hectares of water bodies and a whopping 70 km of shores (longer than the Belgian Coast!), in the south of Hainaut. It is a lovely holiday region with many sleepy, picturesque villages and almost unlimited hiking opportunities. We begin our walk in Erpion, a district of Froidchapelle, which boasts an authentic Roman fountain and long-gone war memories. We walk through expansive landscapes, along RAVeL paths and the lakes of Eau d’Heure and Plate Taille, with plenty of leisure options. We go through a bit of forest and then back to the starting point, the church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in the heart of Erpion on Rue du Général Galet, where parking is easy.

The route

With your back to the church door (V), go left to Rue du Général Galet. Left and after 200 m right out of the center along the quiet Rue Cevière. Past white houses, along meadows, along and through bits of forest. Attention: there is no footpath. Follow this road for about 1.9 km until the intersection with the busy N589/Hameau du Poncia. Cross this carefully and follow the extension of Rue Cevière past a barrier. Always keep right through the forest and after 1 km veer right. You now arrive at the paved RAVeL path at Ry Jaune/Lac de l’Eau d’Heure. On summer days it can be busy here at the beach. Always follow the curves along the water for 2.5 km. Then the dam of Lac de l’Eau d’Heure appears, the road climbs and you turn right (blue sign RAVeL arrow right), before a barrier. The road now rises quite steeply through a bit of forest, and you arrive at a parking area and the N589. Cross that carefully. (Variant: now left 400 m there and back to the tall tower of the Skywalk, where you have a unique view of the region, via road over the dam). Then it goes left to Lac de la Plate Taille. Here you can visit the info center (1) (with cafeteria) and take a break. Now continue straight along the cobblestone-paved RAVeL path beside this lake, past Natura Parc 2000 with among others its zip lines and tower jump. After about 3 km of walking, you reach Landal Village (2), with water sports opportunities. Exit right the RAVeL and walk along the central gravel path through the park with its rental cabins towards the main building and exit right the park. At the roundabout, turn right and at the end of the parking lot, cross through a forest path (follow among others yellow square/green ball) through the wood. This leads a short distance later to a hardened road and meadow with (in good weather) horses on your right. Always follow this rising and descending road, Rue du Pont de Pierre, until the T-junction with a large crucifix on the right. You can already see the church of Erpion in the distance. Continue right along the (busier) Rue de Froidchapelle. After 500 m, you enter the center of Erpion. Right on Rue du Général Galet until you reach the church.