BeautifulMMRouteInBelgiumMediumVersion

This is a somewhat shortened version of "My most beautiful route in Belgium" (169 km instead of 209). The different versions of this route allow cyclists of varying abilities and endurance to mostly ride together on this beautiful route. In this version, 3 climbs have been removed: the Chemin du Paradis, the Côte du Sacré Coeur, and the Mont du Malgré Tout. Four beautiful routes of about 60 km from the RAVel cycling network (Ravel.wallonie.be) serve as connection routes. The route consists of a backbone of about 35 km, complemented by 4 loops. In this description, I provide the following parameters in parentheses for all relevant climbs:
• Length
• Elevation gain (approximately according to my Garmin)
• Maximum gradient
• Number of Cotacol points (Source: “Encyclopédie Cotacol 1,000" – ISBN 1990/2925/2). If the climb is not mentioned in this work or if I am partially following a different route, I make an estimate and put "±" before it.
The route starts at the “Manoir de la Motte” in Boussu-en-Fagne. I have created a POI for it.
1. Backbone.
From Boussu to Mariëmbourg, take the RaVel 2 (La Petite Fagnarde) at the old train station. 10 km almost flat in the valley, mostly through forests, until Matagne-la-Petite, where it continues towards Vierves-sur-Viroin. Then take the N99 towards Petigny, where you turn right to return over 2 climbs back to Boussu.
Climbs:
Les Monts (1,000 m; 62 m; 12%; 76 P)
La Longue Haie (650 m; 60 m; 14%; 80 P)
2. Loop 1 (51 km)
This loop starts in Boussu and Fagne. From Boussu to Chimay through a hilly landscape, passing some picturesque villages like Lompret. By the way, there’s a beautiful terrace there (l’ Eau Blanche). From Chimay, take the RAVel towards the largest lake complex in Belgium (Les Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure). My route leaves this bike path to ride from Froidchapelle to Cerfontaine via the N589a south of the lakes and from there towards Boussu, where you reconnect with the backbone about 2 km before the start. I did not include the beautiful bike path along the lakes as it is less suitable for racing bikes, especially in a group that wants some speed.
Climb:
Côte du Bois de Cerfontaine (1,000 m; 65 m; 10%; ±70 P). A remote climb through the Forêt de Senzeilles. Cotacol cites the southern side; my route ascends the northern side.
Loop 2 (31 km)
This loop starts in Vierves-sur-Viroin. You ascend a climb south of Vierves and ride from Oignies-en-Thiérache to Olloy-sur-Viroin along the N990, almost parallel to the RAVel cycling 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%; ±195 P). I find this slightly ascending narrow path through the dense “bois de Treignes” along the Ry de Wel one of the most beautiful climbs in Belgium.
Loop 3 (81 km)
This loop starts in Matagne-la-Petite and takes place partly in France. After the first climb (Rue de la Prelle), you ride to the Maas, where the route transitions into a stunningly flat RAVel of over 30 km a few meters from the Maas in a beautiful valley. 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:
Rue de la Prelle (2,200 m; 176 m; 14%; 232 P). Slightly irregular but beautiful climb through the same dense forest as the Côte de Vierves, which runs almost parallel beside it, but the Prelle is much shorter and thus steeper. The descent is via the Côte du Moulin de Mazée, where you can achieve a very high speed at the end. Be careful in the left-right-left curve about 500 m from the foot and "keep it safe".
Trou du Diable (5,100 m; 256 m; 11%; 241 P). The first 2.5 km are slightly ascending. At the point where you enter Belgium (whether it's just where the bike path ends or not), the last 2.5 km start with an average of 8%. A kilometer and a half from the summit, you pass the ‘Centre de l’Europe des 15’. Too bad for these people that Europe has since grown significantly and that this “center” is now surely much further east. I have created a POI for this.
Loop 4 (14 km)
This final loop starts in Pétigny. After the climb at the Barrage de Ry de Rôme, you ride back along Couvin to Pétigny via the N99. Anyone wanting to save about five kilometers here can take “Rue de Boussu” at the train station in Couvin. Three kilometers further you are already at the endpoint in Boussu-en-Fagne, but you then have to ride over “Le Tienne de Boussu” (350 m; 38 m; 17%; 81 P) and “Le Tienne de Palyjat” (700 m; 45 m; 19%; 74 P) and save the two climbs from the backbone.
Climb:
La Croix de Cheniats (Barrage de Ry de Rôme) (5,000 m; 230 m; 14%; ± 250 P). This is a variant of a ‘BIG-1000' climb. According to Cotacol, this climb ends after 2,000 m due to the subsequent two steep descents. However, there are still 2 climbs that compensate for the descents up to the Barrage. If you ride over the Barrage, you continue to ascend to 900 m @ 10%. There, at the true summit, you descend towards Couvin. Beware: there is a surprising right turn in this descent.