Ronse - Ath (25 km)

As the weather forecast for Sunday has significantly improved, let's go for a hike in another nice part of Belgium with gentle hills and wide views - the Pays des Collines, just across the language border from the Flemish Ardennes and with very similar scenery. We start in Ronse, going south through fields before reaching the Parc naturel du pays des collines, where the landscape gets more hilly and wooded. We cross the large forest of Bois d'Hubermont and continue through rather sparsely inhabited countryside (at least for the west of Belgium), before finally reaching the outskirts of the town of Ath. There we do a little tour of the town and will certainly find a place for a drink around the Grand Place.

As the number of participants is limited, it is important that you manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!).
We will try to keep close to an average speed of about 4.5 km/h. We will walk mainly on unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning (i.e. it may become longer ;-).

●●You can find the gpx track here:
Wikiloc: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/ronse-ath-191735565
Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/103244352?share_token=a18bZ2zE8ufGA35e3OamLVzUBvMHOfXyopdBc7A7JnXWqBO1cA&ref=wtd

●●Meeting point:
We meet at 09h15 in Gare Central in front of Starbucks. Our train (IC 2332 to Kortrijk) leaves from platform 6 at 09.32. We change in Oudenaarde to L 13018 leaving at 10.35 and arriving in Ronse at 10.46.

●● Train tickets:
Two lines on the rail pass are the cheapest option - otherwise you need to buy single tickets, as start and end point are on separate lines.

●● Trains back to Brussels:
Trains back from Ath 2-3 times an hour

●● Specifics:
Distance: 25 km
Elevation gain: ca 350 m
Net walking time: 6 h
Weather forecast: mixed, maybe still some rain in the morning, but also some sunny spots expected

In the unlikely case of too bad weather, we may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the Meetup.com website and/or your emails.

●● What to bring:

• Comfortable hiking clothes &shoes
• rain gear (it's that time of the year!)
• headlamp or torch, as we may end the hike when it's already dark
• water + food for the breaks
• Compeed for blisters
• some small money for drinks

●● Basic rules:
Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse.
Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list.

●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability:
You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability.