The first part of the W3 long-distance route immerses you in what was, in the 20th century, Belgium’s biggest iron and steel centre. From Tubize, you head south along the RAVeL that borders the Charleroi–Brussels canal, the Charleroi–Brussels historical canal and a short stretch of the Canal du Centre. Having crossed the city of wolves, La Louvière, a daughter of industry, the Line 422 RAVeL takes you gradually into rural settings.

Binche is well known to be the main city of the Gilles, the famous carnival characters. But there is more to this town than paving stones reverberating beneath stamping clogs. It is also a crossroads for soft travel… As well as the W3 regional route, which part of this RAVeL shares, Lines 109A and 109/1 are also to be found nearby. 

To join them, Line 108 continues on its way to Fauroeulx and takes you as far as Erquelinnes, the intersection with the Sambre RAVeL and EuroVelo 3. All in an enchanting agricultural setting, including the well-known Agaises vineyard and its Ruffus cuvées. 
 

The Line 109A RAVeL seems to be with us for only a short stretch. And yet it is an important link because, ultimately, it will connect the Mons region and the Borinage with Thudinie and the Sambre valley as far as the Botte du Hainaut. And that’s only fitting, because a series of lines join up with this route that now delight RAVeL fans. It gives access to Line 108 to Binche or Erquelinnes, and to Line 109/1 to Lobbes and Thuin.