Routes

Route planner

Features

Product updates

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Wallonia

Wallonie

Hainaut

Soignies

Écaussinnes

Bonhomme de Fer Geodetic Marker

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Wallonia

Wallonie

Hainaut

Soignies

Écaussinnes

Bonhomme de Fer Geodetic Marker

Recommended by 128 hikers out of 132

Save

Location: Écaussinnes, Soignies, Hainaut, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Bonhomme de Fer Geodetic Marker

4.7

(111)

441

hikers

1. Lovers' Tunnel – Path Along the Sennette loop from Henripont

14.2km

03:48

160m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.7

(99)

398

hikers

2. Lovers' Tunnel – Path Along the Sennette loop from Écaussinnes-Lalaing

12.2km

03:15

130m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.6

(35)

127

hikers

3. Bois de la Houssière – Bluebells in Houssière Forest loop from Henripont

9.91km

02:36

80m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

Tips

Katrien

September 7, 2021

The Bonhomme de Fer (the Iron Guy) may be overlooked by modern computing systems, but he remains a witness to our history and to the inventiveness of our ancestors. In the 19th century, with its 85 culmination points (including the hill of the Lion of Waterloo, the belfry of Mons, etc.), he contributed to the drawing of the map of Belgium using trigonometry.

The geodesic reference point, popularly known as the 'Bonhomme de fer' (the little iron guy), is located at the southern end of the forest of La Houssière. After helping to draw up the map of Belgium, it still served for the precise calculation of latitude and longitude, altitude, gravity…

Source: walloniebelgietoerisme.be/nl/content/de-bonhomme-de-fer-het-bos-van-la-houssiere-s-gravenbrakel

Translated by Google •

Yves

June 6, 2022

Bonhomme de Fer, a geodesic landmark that was once used to map Belgium by triangulation with other clearly visible points (such as the Lion of Waterloo) long before the appearance of GPS. Interesting place with signs pointing to other landmarks in the area and the distance (but often hidden by trees).

Translated by Google •

Bernard Vidotto

January 22, 2023

formidable

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 140 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 21 September

15°C

8°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Écaussinnes, Soignies, Hainaut, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

Bonhomme de Fer Geodetic Marker

1. Lovers' Tunnel – Path Along the Sennette loop from Henripont

2. Lovers' Tunnel – Path Along the Sennette loop from Écaussinnes-Lalaing

3. Bois de la Houssière – Bluebells in Houssière Forest loop from Henripont

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️