Parc des Plaines de l'Escaut - Circuit Natur’accessible de Bon-Secours

The Plaines de l'Escaut Nature Park (abbreviated to PNPE) is a cross-border nature park in Hainaut, located between the towns of Tournai and Mons.

On the edge of the park, a specially adapted and accessible circuit forming a loop of +- 500 m takes you through the Bon-Secours forest, a Natura 2000 area.

This walk offers a wealth of educational content. There are several modules to help you learn more about the forest and its wildlife.

Relaxation areas (benches and deckchairs) make it easy to enjoy a moment of rejuvenation in the heart of nature.

To extend your visit and learn more about the forest ecosystem, the Escale Forestière building welcomes you to continue your discovery (!!! concerning the accessibility of the building, please refer to the page dedicated to the Escale Forestière building !!! )

Strong points

The accessible car park is located 140m from the park entrance - 2 PRM spaces
Car park address: Rue du Docteur Joseph Janssens, 7603 Bon-Secours
The circuit, which is freely accessible, is a loop of +- 500 m on the edge of the forest. The accessible loop is marked by a logo with a green leaf.
The route is flat with a tarmac surface in very good condition.
The path is +- 2.50 m wide.
There is a map at the start of the walk.
A breadcrumb trail runs the length of the route to guide the visually impaired.
There are signs and 4 visual teaching modules to help you learn more about the forest and its wildlife.
Several rest areas are available along the walk.
Toilets are available at the half-way point in the building during Escale Forestière opening hours (for information on the accessibility of the building and toilets, please refer to the information sheet on the Escale Forestière building).
The circuit is freely accessible without passing through the Escale Forestière building.
Website: https://escaleforestiere.be/parcours-naturaccessible/

Points of attention

There are a number of benches all along the route, but they do not have armrests. The seats are also a little low.
At the starting point, orientation signs are missing (left-hand path), but as the tour is a loop, it can be taken in either direction.
There is currently no downloadable map to help you prepare for your visit.
The park's website is not accessible - no access to information to prepare for the visit (difficulty in finding information, no map of the circuit available, car park address not compliant, etc.).

Strong points

There are 2 reserved accessible pitches near the entrance to the circuit.
The path is wide enough for wheelchairs.
The information panels are accessible and clear underneath. They are easy to read and handle.

Points of attention

There is a small step at the start of the route
The flooring to the right of the last module has a slope and a step. We advise you not to go too far ahead.

Strong points

There are 2 reserved accessible pitches located 150m from the entrance to the circuit.
The route is signposted at the entrance to the walk.
The path is wide enough and the surface is flat and easy to walk on.
There are educational signs all along the loop.
Several seats are available every 200m.

Points of attention

The benches have no armrests and the seats are too low.
There is a lack of information (panels + signs) about the intermediate distances to be covered.
The educational panels along the loop do not have a bench nearby.

Strong points

A looped walk of around 500m, the layout is simple, so there's no risk of getting lost.
A breadcrumb trail runs the length of the route and is marked by a vertical wooden plank on the left-hand side of the path. If the path is interrupted, a podotactile guide line is available.
Guide dogs are welcome.
In addition to the trail (which is not part of the Natur'Accessible trail), there is a sensory area around the edge of the trail.

Points of attention

The content of the walk is mainly visual, and the educational panels along the route are not in relief or Braille.
There is no possibility of downloading an audio guide to access the content or the description of the environment.
There is no option to download the map or a gpx track beforehand.
The website is not accessible and does not provide any information to help you prepare for your visit.
There is no relief map at the start of the walk.

Strong points

A looping walk of around 500m, the layout is simple, so there's no risk of getting lost.
There is a large contrasting sign at the start of the route showing the route.
Contrasting directional signs all along the route.
Educational panels are located outside the path.
Guide dogs are welcome.
In addition to the trail (which is not part of the Natur'Accessible trail), there is a sensory area around the edge of the trail.

Points of attention

The content of the walk is mainly visual, and the educational panels along the route are not in relief and lack contrast.
There is no possibility of downloading an audio guide to access the content or the description of the environment.
The website is not accessible and there is no information to help you prepare for your visit.

Strong points

The route is a loop of around 500m, signposted.
The route is clear and logical
There is a map at the start of the trail showing the route, total distance and rest areas.
There are visual educational modules with text to help you learn more about the forest and its wildlife. The texts on the educational panels have been designed in FALC (easy to read and understand).
4G network available throughout the route

Points of attention

The website is not accessible and does not provide any information to help you prepare for your visit.

Strong points

The route is a loop of around 500m, signposted.
The route is clear and logical
There is a map at the start of the trail showing the route, total distance and rest areas.
There are visual educational modules with text to help you learn more about the forest and its wildlife. The texts on the educational panels have been designed in FALC (easy to read and understand).
4G network available throughout the route

Points of attention

The website is not accessible and does not provide any information to help you prepare for your visit.

Strong points

The car park is located on its own site.
From the car park, the entrance is 150m away and easily identifiable.
The route is signposted at the entrance to the walk.
The walk is intuitive and short (+- 500m)
The environment is calm and safe.
The content of the walk is mainly visual (elements to observe, educational panels to read and handle).
The 4 educational panels are in easy-to-read and easy-to-understand (FALC) and the pictorial illustrations make them easy to understand.
In addition to the trail (which is not part of the Natur'Accessible trail), there is a sensory area and picnic tables around the perimeter of the trail.