Top 15 Natural Monuments around Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes
Best natural monuments around Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes are found in a rural setting, characterized by the Eau d'Heure valley and the park surrounding the Château de Ham-sur-Heure. This area offers opportunities for walks and nature observation, with initiatives to encourage biodiversity. The landscape provides a blend of natural features and historical elements, making it suitable for outdoor exploration. Visitors can experience tranquil environments and local flora and fauna.
Best natural monuments around Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes
- The most popular natural monument is Hanging gardens, a historical site known for its unique terraced gardens on a southern slope. These gardens are part of the city's fortifications and possess a microclimate supporting special flora and fauna.
- Another must-see spot is View from Terril Saint-Charles Sud (Bois du Cazier), a viewpoint and natural monument. This entirely wooded slag heap offers a panoramic observatory at nearly 250 meters above sea level, providing views over the region.
- Visitors also love Piges Spoil Tip, a natural monument with a conical shape. Its summit offers views of Charleroi and its city center, and the undergrowth is home to wild orchids.
- Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes is known for its historical sites, viewpoints, and former industrial landscapes transformed into natural areas. The region offers a variety of natural monuments to see and explore, including unique geological sites and green spaces.
- The natural monuments around Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 100 upvotes and over 60 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: July 12, 2026
Hanging gardens
Highlight • Historical Site
Thuin Hanging Gardens
Thuin Hanging Gardens are world famous! The small town of Thuin is located southwest of Charleroi and still belongs to Wallonia. The town is known for the Belfry, the medieval alleys but especially the Hanging Gardens. This is truly unique in Belgium and is therefore on the list of exceptional heritage! The alleys around the Hanging Gardens are also recognized as an exceptional heritage of Wallonia.
From the medieval center you come to the edge of the town and this is where the Hanging Gardens begin. The gardens can be seen even better if you drive in from the south. Thuin is located on a high hill and on the foothills of the hill are the gardens. The gardens are only found on the southern slope. The gardens and terraces were created during the construction of the city. They are part of the fortifications of the city. Very special is that the terraces have a microclimate. Due to the abundance of sunlight, special fauna and flora grows for the region.
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Passage through the Aulniats spoil tip via the GR
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Pétria Spoil Tip No. 1
Highlight • Natural Monument
Bought by the City of Fontaine-l'Evêque in 1995, the Pétria slag heap was classified as a "Natura 2000" zone in 2002. In 2020, the site became an approved nature reserve for batrachians following substantial developments aimed at protecting natterjack toads and midwife toads: excavation of temporary ponds, cleaning of sludge tanks to make them a breeding site, cleaning and clearing of the Babelone pond.
destinationterrils.eu/fr/terril-du-petria
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Piges Spoil Tip
Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument
The summit offers a unique view of the whole of Charleroi and its city center
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View from Terril Saint-Charles Sud (Bois du Cazier)
Highlight • Viewpoint
Source: charleroi-decouverte.be | Terril Saint-Charles South / F. Dierick
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Tips from the Community
very nice view
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superb view
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Much more accessible by VTTAE, it is a great challenge to climb in muscle
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The Aulniats slag heap is an elongated and flat slag heap, with an unstructured look that culminates at 186 m. Its abundant vegetation, its viewpoints over the Sambre valley and its small "canyon" colored with reddish hues by the combustion of the shales are all discoveries that will punctuate your walk on the slag heap. Witness to the activity of the last Walloon coal mine, the Aulniats slag heap is an invitation to a bucolic outing for the whole family. It conceals so many unsuspected treasures! Thus, lovers of mining remains will be pleasantly surprised to discover industrial structures at its foot. Budding geologists will scrape the surface of the slag heap to discover the reddish shales, witnesses of the self-combustion of the slag heap. These red shales were also exploited until 2001 as backfill, in particular to stabilize the runway at Charleroi airport. As for photographers, they will enjoy the exceptional panorama offered by its summit plateau! Hikers, for their part, will be delighted to walk in an environment of high quality flora and fauna. A pedestrian connection is possible with the slag heap n°7 of the Gouffre located a few cables away.
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The Saint-Charles Sud slag heap, entirely wooded, has been converted into a place of discovery and relaxation. It adjoins the Bois du Cazier site, where the biggest mining disaster in the history of Belgium took place on the morning of August 8, 1956. The summit hosts a panoramic observatory on the region, at nearly 250 meters above sea level. A path has been laid out to facilitate the ascent of the slag heap. Source: charleroi-decouverte.be | Terril Saint-Charles South / F. Dierick
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The Pétria slag heap, known as “Seat No. 1” was created between 1870 and 1926. It was then exploited and reworked as part of the recovery of coal shale and residual coal. Bought by the City of Fontaine-l'Evêque in 1995, the Pétria slag heap was classified as a "Natura 2000" zone in 2002. In 2020, the site became an approved nature reserve for batrachians following substantial developments aimed at protecting natterjack toads and midwife toads: excavation of temporary ponds, cleaning of sludge tanks to make them a breeding site, cleaning and clearing of the Babelone pond. https://www.destinationterrils.eu/fr/terril-du-petria
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Nice view and nice city park on a slag heap.
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what a beautiful view over the slag heaps, factories, industry and Charleroi. i love coming back for the boucle noir.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural features can I explore in Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes?
The region offers a blend of natural beauty, primarily centered around the Eau d'Heure valley and the Park of the Château de Ham-sur-Heure. The valley provides wooded areas and tranquil landscapes for walks, while the park features a dedicated 'nature space' designed to encourage biodiversity with insect hotels and nesting boxes. You can also discover unique sites like the Hanging gardens, known for their terraced design and special microclimate.
Are there any historical natural monuments to visit?
Yes, several natural monuments in the area have historical significance. The Hanging gardens are a historical site, part of the city's fortifications. Additionally, many of the slag heaps, such as the View from Terril Saint-Charles Sud (Bois du Cazier), Piges Spoil Tip, and Passage through the Aulniats spoil tip via the GR, are former industrial landscapes that have been reclaimed by nature and offer insights into the region's mining past.
What are some unique natural sites in the area?
Beyond the general natural beauty, you can find truly unique sites. The Hanging gardens are exceptional for their terraced structure and microclimate. The various spoil tips, like Pétria Spoil Tip No. 1, are fascinating examples of nature reclaiming industrial land, often becoming havens for specific flora and fauna, such as wild orchids found at the Piges Spoil Tip.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the natural monuments here?
Visitors appreciate the blend of natural beauty and historical context. Many enjoy the unique terraced design and special flora of the Hanging gardens. The panoramic views from the summits of the wooded slag heaps, such as the View from Terril Saint-Charles Sud (Bois du Cazier), are also highly praised. The transformation of industrial sites into natural areas, offering diverse flora and fauna, is a recurring highlight for the komoot community.
Are there family-friendly natural monuments around Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes?
Yes, the Passage through the Aulniats spoil tip via the GR is noted as a family-friendly option. Its abundant vegetation, viewpoints, and small 'canyon' make for an engaging walk. The Park of the Château de Ham-sur-Heure is also freely accessible and offers peaceful strolls, making it suitable for families to observe local flora and fauna.
When is the best time of year to visit the natural monuments?
The natural monuments, especially those with rich flora like the Hanging gardens and the spoil tips with wild orchids, are particularly beautiful in spring and summer when vegetation is lush and flowers are in bloom. Autumn also offers picturesque scenery with changing leaf colors in the wooded areas of the Eau d'Heure valley. Outdoor activities like hiking and cycling are generally most pleasant from spring through autumn.
Are there viewpoints offering panoramic views of the region?
Absolutely. The View from Terril Saint-Charles Sud (Bois du Cazier) provides a panoramic observatory at nearly 250 meters above sea level. Similarly, the Piges Spoil Tip offers a unique view of Charleroi and its city center from its summit. The Aulniats spoil tip also boasts exceptional panoramas over the Sambre valley.
What outdoor activities can I do near the natural monuments?
The region is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for hiking, road cycling, and gravel biking. The Eau d'Heure valley, in particular, is ideal for countryside strolls and hiking, with trails leading through forested sections near Beignée.
Are there hiking trails available around the natural monuments?
Yes, there are many hiking opportunities. For instance, you can explore the Aulniats spoil tip via the GR trail, which offers diverse flora and fauna. The Eau d'Heure valley also features trails, including a moderate 8.7 km loop from Ham-sur-Heure-Nalinnes to the Ham-sur-Heure Castle and Eau d'Heure Weir. You can find more options in the Hiking around Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes guide.
Can I go cycling near the natural monuments?
Yes, the area around Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes is well-suited for cycling. There are various routes for both road cycling and gravel biking. For example, you can find moderate road cycling loops like 'L'Eau d'Heure – Berzée Castle Farm loop from Beignée' or gravel biking routes such as 'Picnic Area – Bois de Jamioulx loop from Le Bois du Cazier'.
What is special about the Park of the Château de Ham-sur-Heure?
The Park of the Château de Ham-sur-Heure is a verdant, freely accessible space that serves as a picturesque backdrop to the historic château. It's particularly special for its dedicated 'nature space' where reduced mowing and varied flower plantings encourage biodiversity. This area includes insect hotels and nesting boxes, making it a haven for local wildlife and an excellent spot for nature observation and understanding ecological conservation efforts.
What can I expect when visiting the Eau d'Heure valley?
The Eau d'Heure valley within Ham-sur-Heure-Nalinnes offers a beautiful natural environment characterized by wooded areas and the meandering Eau d'Heure river. You can expect tranquil landscapes, ideal for peaceful walks and immersing yourself in nature. Hiking trails are available, leading through forested sections near Beignée, providing opportunities to experience the local countryside and its serene atmosphere.
Are there any natural monuments related to the region's industrial past?
Yes, a significant number of natural monuments in the area are former industrial sites, specifically slag heaps, which are now naturalized. Examples include the View from Terril Saint-Charles Sud (Bois du Cazier), Piges Spoil Tip, Passage through the Aulniats spoil tip via the GR, and Pétria Spoil Tip No. 1. These sites have transformed into unique ecosystems, often with specific flora like wild orchids, and offer panoramic views, blending history with nature.
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