The RAVeL Path

Written By Gregory Lefevre

The RAVeL path (quiévrain to mons - line 98)

traffic-free regional cycling arterial, old railway heritage, & cross-border links

the RAVeL path (line 98) is a fantastic, completely car-free greenway that stretches across the belgian border region, serving as a primary link between the cross-border community of quiévrain/quiévrechain and the historic city of mons. RAVeL stands for réseau autonome de voies lentes (autonomous network of slow ways)—a brilliant wallonian initiative that transforms defunct infrastructure into flat, asphalted paths for cyclists, hikers, and rollers.

running along the historic line 98 railway line, which once hauled heavy coal trains out of the busy borinage mining district, this 21-kilometer route offers an incredibly smooth, easy-to-navigate ride through deeply green countryside, historic towns, and scenic pastoral valleys.

The route & terrain experience

because the trail is built entirely over an old railwaybed, it is exceptionally accessible. it maintains a completely flat gradient with a premium smooth concrete and asphalt surface, making it just as suitable for casual family bike rides and strollers as it is for long-distance gravel and touring riders.

  • the journey from quiévrain: starting straight from the historic place de la gare in quiévrain (literally seconds across the river border from quiévrechain, france), the path immediately heads east. it acts as a peaceful corridor tucked away from major regional roads.

  • industrial & pastoral scenery: as you ride or walk eastward toward towns like elouges, dour, and colfontaine, the landscape shifts beautifully. you will roll past structural reminders of the area's rich industrial past—including stone railway bridges, classic brick houses, and green, overgrown terrils (slag heaps) that have completely returned to nature.

  • the honnelles connection (line 98A): when you hit the trail fork at elouges, you can choose to stick to the main line to mons, or hang a left onto the intersecting line 98A RAVeL. this split dives straight into the scenic forests and rolling river valleys of the hauts-pays nature park, terminating right near the famous caillou-qui-bique rock formation in angre.

Key navigation & trail details

the path features comprehensive directional signage along the entire route, alerting riders to crossroads and intersecting local trails. it also functions as part of the massive W1 regional cycling route, allowing international cyclists to safely transit deep into the heart of wallonia.

Gregory Lefevre
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Maison du Parc Naturel des Hauts-Pays