Starting from the large car park at the sports grounds located on the heights near the Saint-Roch Chapel (S/E), the walk quickly enters the forest and gradually descends towards the former Hermitage (2) (private property) before climbing back up through the woods towards the countryside of Alhoumont and the hamlet of Deux Hêtres (4), where many youth camps are set up in summer.
After crossing the Ourthe Orientale at the Hermitage (6) (where it meets the Cowan stream), the route climbs the hill towards the village of Taverneux (8) and then heads towards the Fin de Ville district (9) and the Camping du Viaduc (10) (picnic tables, tavern, toilets, etc.).
On the way back, the route passes by the magnificent Randoux lodge (11) and the Randoux Farm, which is still in operation (12).
Walk around Houffalize
The countryside around Houffalize town centre is open and hilly, offering beautiful views of this lush green region.
The eastern Ourthe and its tributaries are (still) fairly wild streams with sometimes rushing waters. The forests are mainly fir forests... there are not many deciduous forests in this area.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 11.24 mi -
Average duration: 6h 05 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 1,079 ft -
Descent: - 1,070 ft -
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Highest point: 1,509 ft -
Lowest point: 1,050 ft
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Country:
Belgium
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Area: Massif des Ardennes -
City:
Houffalize -
Start/End: N 50.120968° / E 5.788458° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,493 ft - Sports grounds
- 1 : mi 0.99 - alt. 1,243 ft - N30
- 2 : mi 1.19 - alt. 1,204 ft - Hermitage (private)
- 3 : mi 1.92 - alt. 1,227 ft - Cowan stream
- 4 : mi 3.53 - alt. 1,509 ft - Place name: Les Deux Hêtres
- 5 : mi 4.42 - alt. 1,342 ft - Bend
- 6 : mi 5.25 - alt. 1,132 ft - Confluence of the Ourthe Orientale and Cowan
- 7 : mi 6.29 - alt. 1,329 ft - Power line
- 8 : mi 6.7 - alt. 1,335 ft - View of the village of Taverneux
- 9 : mi 7.74 - alt. 1,207 ft - Fin de Ville district
- 10 : mi 8.62 - alt. 1,053 ft - Viaduc Campsite
- 11 : mi 9.68 - alt. 1,352 ft - Randoux Farm Lodge
- 12 : mi 10.06 - alt. 1,332 ft - Randoux Farm
- 13 : mi 10.85 - alt. 1,407 ft - Sharp angle crossing
- S/E : mi 11.24 - alt. 1,493 ft - Sports grounds
Notes
Warning: route with a very brief description given its length, which therefore does not offer the same guarantees as the walks usually published on Visorando.
Other walks in the area
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Achouffe and the Martin Moulin Stream
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Starting from Achouffe, discover the valley of the Ruisseau de Martin Moulin. The route follows forest paths and trails, ending with your feet in the water, and sometimes mud, on the path along the stream at the Moulin de Wihogne.
Between two Ourthes
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+1,191 ft
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The route runs along the water's edge, passing several viewpoints, including the confluence of the two Ourthes rivers. The Nisramont dam and two footbridges are essential for crossing from one bank to the other.
Please note: this is a challenging hike (see practical information)
Around the Bernistap Canal
Visorando Member 
11.96 mi
+860 ft
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The Bernistap Canal is a section of the canal that the Dutch had planned to build to link the Rhine to the Meuse via the Moselle and the Ourthe. Begun in 1827 during the reign of WilliamI, King of the Netherlands, work was suspended in 1830 during the Belgian revolution and finally abandoned when the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg gained independence. This canal has an underground section, the entrance to which on the Belgian side is still visible at km 1, if you are feeling adventurous. A few information panels are located along the canal between km 1 and km 2, as well as on the Luxembourg side (except for the section leading to the village of Hoffelt).
In the heart of one of our Ardennes forests around Montleban
Visorando Member 6.40 mi
+564 ft
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As a resident of the pretty little village of Montleban, I’d like to suggest a route to my fellow walkers and/or joggers that consists of 90% wooded paths and 10% quiet, unpaved roads.
Throughout the walk, you may be lucky enough to encounter a family of wild boars or deer.
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