MARCHEETDECOUVERTE

This walk takes us to Petit Vaux and the entrance to Nessonvaux, where we climb the Bois-d'Olne hill on its southern slope. From Bois-d'Olne to Grihanster, we walk along a magnificent ridge. From here, we can admire two very different landscapes. To the north, the Hazienne valley and the village of Olne, and to the south, the Vesdre valley and the first wooded foothills of the Ardennes.

From the centre of Olne, one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, we descend towards the Ri de Rode before reaching the Rafhay bocage. This is a typical Pays-de-Herve landscape with its meadows, hedges, paths and a few characterful farms. Enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Saint-Hadelin, one of the most picturesque hamlets in the municipality. On a clear day, you can see the Botrange signal to the south-east and the Bronronne wind turbine due south. This path follows the purple rectangle markings (walk no. 1)

A short and easy route around the village of Olne, one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in Wallonia’. Starting from the Hall Omnisport, we head towards La Bouteille, the highest point in the municipality. A short detour through Le Rafhay and its wide open green spaces before returning to the village via La Falise and its chantoir. On the way back, we pass through the streets of Olne’s centre with its beautiful patrician mansions and church. This walk follows signpost no. 2 (Green Diamond).

Opposite the Town Hall, we pass under the Årvå (vaulted passageway) and then enter Rue des Combattants with its magnificent houses and its ‘teûtè’ (a small roof over a carriage entrance). Next, a long, sloping path leads us towards Grand-Vaux and Petit-Vaux, the two hamlets of Vaux-sous-Olne. We head back up via Froidbermont and its former seigneurial farmstead. After passing Les-Fosses, a site listed for its flora, we reach the village.

Leave the village towards Vaux-sous-Olne. Walk towards the Hazienne valley and its wooded hillsides before climbing the Bois-d'Olne hill. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Hazienne, a secret stream also known as the Bola de Grand-Rechain in Soiron, with its capricious meanders and sometimes underground course. Let's head back up towards the village via Froidbermont, where the first castle of Olne was located.

This walk starts at Le Fief, where you will find Saint-Hadelin Church and the nail tree. La Neuville, Le Fief, Le Rouau, Le Faweux, Belle-Maison, Riessonsart: all these places evoke legends and tragedies. The 17th- and 18th-century houses with their shrines, crosses and inscriptions bear witness to the richness of the local heritage. The Magne river flows lazily through the hamlet. Le Fief de Saint-Hadelin and the centre of Olne are among the most beautiful villages in Wallonia.

Leaving the village, head towards La Falise, following in the footsteps of the herders who used to take their flocks to graze on the Rafhay pastures. Continue on to Saint-Hadelin, Le Fief, its chapel and its nail tree. Head towards Croix-Renard and descend into the Vesdre valley to cross Nessonvaux and Vaux-sous-Olne. This route takes you past many workshops that drew their energy from the Ry-de-Vaux. Head back up towards the Terwangne woods and the village.

We leave the Croix Renard and its magnificent 360° view behind us and head down to Saint-Hadelin, with its chapel and nail tree. A superb path, called the daffodil path, then takes us through the woods to the outskirts of the pretty village of Forêt. The path leads us close to Olno, a radio guidance station. From Forêt to Croix-Renard, we enjoy an exceptional view of the hamlets of Hansez and Gelivaux and the many crops dotting the landscape.

This walk starts at the hamlet of Croix Renard, where you can enjoy a magnificent 360° view of the Vesdre valley, the village of Forêt, Fléron with its slag heaps, Saint-Hadelin, Olne and Vaux-sous-Olne. It will take you towards Chinehotte and Nessonvaux, with the remains of the old mills in the valleys, before heading back up towards the hamlet of Hansez. Halfway along the route, there is a lovely view of Moirivay and Fraipont. In Hansez, do stop for a short break by the listed pond.

After revisiting a dozen walks in their municipality, a few lovers of hiking and beautiful landscapes in Olne decided to set themselves a challenge: to mark out a walk on the outskirts of the area. This is how this tour of Olne came about, taking you over hill and dale to discover one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia.

This walk starts at Croix Renard and takes you to Saint-Hadelin before heading up to the Olno radio guidance station and the beautiful village of Forêt. You will then pass through the Massouheid nature reserve before crossing the hamlet of Hansez. Admire the listed pond and the four old farms with their barns. Halfway along the route, there is a picnic area with a superb view.

A magnificent walk through woods, fields and picturesque villages