McDuffe

A short, almost entirely shaded circular loop in the beautiful little Bois de Bérinnes forest in Genappe. Part of the route runs alongside the Ry d'Hez stream, which has been transformed by beavers. At the start and end of the walk, there are views of some very pretty gardens.

The route is marked (yellow rectangles) and shown on the "Jalhay-Spa-Stavelot-Theux" walking map, available from the Tourist Office.The first half is a superb walk (with a few difficult and potentially slippery sections) along the Sawe.The second half (when you leave the Sawe) is the return to Solwaster on a more relaxing but more mundane path.There is also the option of a longer 8.5 km version (blue rectangles).

This marked walk, which appears on various walking maps, is one of the most beautiful walks in Belgium. It offers superb views of Reinhardstein Castle, which the walk passes by.

A very pleasant, signposted walk starting from the Eau Noire car park. The route is entirely flat and presents no difficulty in the Hautes Fagnes, with part of it on boardwalks.The only downside: depending on the wind direction, you can hear the Spa-Francorchamps route in the distance if it is in operation, as is the case with all walks in the region.

A very beautiful circular walk with varied landscapes. As there are not many shaded areas, this walk is best avoided when it is hot and the sun is beating down. Magnificent in autumn, also nice in winter, but you can hear the N5 more as the trees are bare.

A lovely 5 km circular route through the beautiful woods of Sainte-Catherine and the Ermitage Saint-Jean-Baptiste, where you hear nothing but birdsong and the babbling of the Ry Pirot. No road noise – this is rare enough (especially in the BW) to be worth mentioning. There are several lovely wooden benches along the route. This walk can be completed in about 1½ hours (including a 10–15-minute break) rather than the 2 hours calculated by the programme.

A 5 km circular route, largely shaded, in and around the pretty and very peaceful Kwadebeek Valley (which is a ‘natuurpunt’ in Rhode-Saint-Genèse). No traffic noise (what a joy!) but plenty of birdsong in spring.

A 5.5 km circular route through woods and fields around Basse Heuval in the municipality of Villers-la-Ville. A fairly varied and very peaceful route, no road noise – pure bliss! Part of the walk takes place in the woods and the other part in the countryside.

A 6 km circular route that is as pleasant as it is varied, taking you through fields and woods. The route passes through Le Châtelet, the former feudal manor of the lords of Marbais. The route and description are partly (and very loosely) inspired by ‘Walk No. 7’ proposed by the Villers-la-Ville Tourist Office.

A lovely circular route through the countryside between Baisy-Thy (Genappe) and Sart-Dames-Avelines (Villers-la-Ville), passing by the "Borne de Ways" and crossing the Ry d'Hez twice. The route takes you along the picturesque "Sentier des Échaliers".

A very pretty 1½-hour circular route along quiet paths in the Sonian Forest, near the Folon Foundation and La Hulpe Castle. Absolutely peaceful for two-thirds of the route, though the section near the ring road is inevitably noisier. Relaxing and pleasant in all seasons. Particularly lovely when the wild garlic is in bloom. You may see and hear many birds.

A lovely 4 km circular route around the Royal Golf Club of Waterloo, starting from the charming Place de Ransbeck. This route is a slightly longer version of the walk entitled ‘A short walk in Ransbeck’, with the difference that this route passes by the Chapelle Jacques.

A pleasant and varied walk alternating between wooded, agricultural and built-up areas (including 3 farms), starting from the pretty village of Mellery. An easy and very peaceful route. The route corresponds to walk no. 13, suggested by the Villers-la-Ville Tourist Office.

A splendid walk in the Bois de Hal, famous for its carpets of wild hyacinths in April, but let’s not forget the anemones that bloom a little earlier. This circular walk of around 6 km follows the paths and trails of the "Reebokwandeling" and the "hyacintenwandeling", two signposted walks featured on the official Bois de Halle website (see practical information).

A circular route that is as pleasant as it is varied in the superb Bois de Lauzelle, right next to the university town of Louvain-la-Neuve. An absolute must for nature lovers. The ‘wetland’ section along the Blanc-Ry is particularly charming thanks to the very successful landscaping.

A lovely circular route around the Bois de Haute-Heuval. After about 1 km on a quiet concrete road, it takes an old cobbled street (worthy of Paris-Roubaix!) before joining forest paths. It may not be the most beautiful of the (many) possible walks in the area, but it is nonetheless enjoyable, whatever the season.

A circular route through the Bois de l'Étoile and across the very pleasant residential neighbourhood of Bois Pinchet, starting from the car park at Villers-la-Ville Abbey. A peaceful and varied route with few roads.

A circular walk in and around the lovely little Ermitage nature reserve (managed by Natagora), a haven of nature and tranquillity between Braine-le-Château and Ittre. The walk features several information boards.

This circular walk, starting from Ophain Cemetery, follows paths that wind through fields and woods (passing through the Bois du Hautmont), as well as a few quiet roads, offering a variety of landscapes that are as interesting as they are pleasant. The only downside is a 500-metre stretch along the Chaussée d’Ophain, which is quite busy on weekdays; for this reason, I recommend doing this walk on a Sunday or during the holidays.