Wodecq and Flobecq

Hike along junctions through the Pays des Collines by the villages of Wodecq and Flobecq. We depart from Wodecq and walk north towards Flobecq. Afterwards, we take a wide western loop back to Wodecq.

Junctions: 58-37-98-42-30-31-22-23-99-18-85-49-84-20-60-51-11-19-52-54

Nature Park Pays des Collines

As early as the 1970s, the idea of creating a nature park in the Collines region was brought up by somewhat visionary pioneering citizens such as Théo Mercenier, Jacques Vandewattyne, or even abbé Delcour. The idea gained traction with certain political decision-makers and a large number of citizens and associations. Together, they fought for the concept of bringing together Ellezelles, Flobecq, Mont-de-l'Enclus, Frasnes, and three villages of the Ath entity (Houtaing, Mainvault, Ostiches) to take shape around a common cultural and landscape identity.

When we ask citizens what characterizes the nature park Pays des Collines best, the landscape or folklore is often mentioned. It is true that its relief and identity have suffered less from the homogenization of landscapes than in certain other places in Wallonia. Characterized by 7 landscape entities (wooded hills, fragmented hills, agricultural valleys, alluvial plains, open agriculture, partitioned farming, urbanized), the landscapes of the Pays des Collines must continue to attract both citizens and tourists.

The Pays des Collines is made up of the municipalities of Ellezelles, Flobecq, Frasnes-lez-Anvaing, Mont-de-l'Enclus, and part of the municipality of Ath (the villages of Mainvault, Houtaing, and Ostiches). The Land of Collines is a territory steeped in a strong identity. The 5 municipalities of the Pays des Collines are very popular with hikers due to their wild and hilly landscapes, their delicious regional products, and their fantastic folklore. Here, witches and legends haunt the unusual hiking paths and the bucolic landscape dotted with pollarded willows, groves, and "supernatural" hills.

The total area of the nature park is 23,327 hectares for 26,125 inhabitants (early 2011).