Abstract: A walking hearth furnace comprising fixed and walking hearths (1 to 3 respectively 4,5) on the refractory lining of which the work (6) is placed. Slanted surfaces are worked into the refractory lining forming depressions (15) and causing the work to be heated from underneath. The pieces of work are arranged in such a manner that spaces form between them, through which the heat from above can act on the slanted surfaces. Furthermore, the slanted surfaces serve to remove the scale both through the slots between the hearths and through scale chutes (16) which lead downwards out of the depressions (15) and operate in conjunction with scale removal devices (22).