Aulne Abbey, Bois du Grand Bon Dieu and Hourpes through the forest

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A little countryside, a little forest, a little town, a little of the Sambre with a lock and an old drawbridge, Aulne Abbey, Thuin, Hourpes with its strange castle and, to finish, lots of forest: that's what's on the programme for this walk.

Details

n°77729267
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.72 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,102 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,093 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 686 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 354 ft
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Photos

Hourpes Castle

Description of the walk

In spring, the Bois de Biesme is covered with a magnificent carpet of hyacinths, rapeseed fields adorn the surroundings of Aulne Abbey, and cherry and apple trees in bloom brighten up the surprising Château de Hourpes.

Thuin, with its belfry, ramparts, cobbled streets and terraced gardens, and the Bois du Grand Bon Dieu are well worth a visit.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 361 ft - Lock No. 8 - Leernes - Fontaine-l'Évêque - Sambre à finaliser
  2. 1 : mi 0.34 - alt. 367 ft - Route
  3. 2 : mi 1.15 - alt. 620 ft - Le Chêne
  4. 3 : mi 2.46 - alt. 673 ft - Le Gibet
  5. 4 : mi 3.48 - alt. 610 ft - Bois de Biesme
  6. 5 : mi 4.49 - alt. 446 ft - Former Haut-Marteau railway station
  7. 6 : mi 4.75 - alt. 440 ft - L'Ermitage
  8. 7 : mi 5.01 - alt. 568 ft - Bois du Grand Bon Dieu
  9. 8 : mi 5.45 - alt. 545 ft - Terraced gardens
  10. 9 : mi 5.86 - alt. 535 ft - Place de Thuin
  11. 10 : mi 6.51 - alt. 381 ft - Lock No. 5
  12. 11 : mi 7.18 - alt. 384 ft - Railway Bridge - Steep path
  13. 12 : mi 7.45 - alt. 584 ft - Viewpoint over Thuin
  14. 13 : mi 9.07 - alt. 413 ft - Hourpes
  15. 14 : mi 10.05 - alt. 597 ft - Pond
  16. S/E : mi 11.72 - alt. 358 ft - Lock No. 8 - Leernes - Fontaine-l'Évêque - Sambre à finaliser

Notes

Several establishments await you for a drink or a meal when you return from your hike.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 20134356

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike, perfect trail and exceptional setting.

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