Bauche to Durnal and back down to the Bocq valley

The walk between Bauche, Durnal and the Bocq Valley is a pleasant circular route in Wallonia, ideal for a nature walk lasting a few hours. It combines: forest paths, rural landscapes and a walk through the Bocq Valley, renowned for its charm. It is a varied and accessible walk, perfect for regular walkers.

The walk takes you on a journey of discovery through the most wooded part of the Bocq valley, between the hamlets of Bauche and Chansin.The Bocq is the birthplace of numerous quarries and of the railway line that once linked Yvoir to Ciney, thereby facilitating the transport of quarry products. There are numerous drinking water abstraction points, now managed by VIVAQUA, as well as the brewery of the same name situated in the heart of Purnode.

Parking at the start. Descent towards Bauche in the shade. At Bauche, follow Chansin then head back up towards Durnal at the crossroads near the barriers. The climb is long but the surface is more pleasant and flatter than on the descent. Hike without description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

Numerous quarries have been or are still being exploited in the Bocq valley between Spontin (upstream) and Yvoir (downstream), and a railway line was built there connecting Yvoir to Ciney - via a few bridges and tunnels - to facilitate the transport of production. The line, which has been officially decommissioned, is operated between Évrehailles-Bauche and Ciney by the non-profit organisation Chemin de Fer du Bocq, which offers various activities, including, of course, trips in historic railcars and/or passenger carriages pulled by a steam locomotive. In short, the section between Bauche and Spontin has been reoriented towards tourism, and there are numerous trails and paths for exploring this beautiful region on foot. This walk is an invitation to explore, starting from Purnode. Hike without description to be followed with the Visorando app.

A varied hike in the heart of the Namur Condroz, amidst deep forests, hidden valleys and Walloon heritage. The route passes through magnificent wooded areas such as the Bois des Loges, the Bois du Sergent and the Bois d’Insefy, before reaching the superb Bocq Valley and its steep-sided landscapes. It also passes through the villages of Durnal, Evrehailles and Chansin, as well as near Harnoy Castle, the Niersant Cave and the remarkable site of Tienne du Hé. Crupet, listed among the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, reveals its famous medieval keep surrounded by water, as well as the Saint-Antoine Cave and its famous devil. The typical terrain of the Condroz, formed over 350 million years ago, alternates between limestone ridges, damp valleys, beech forests and hedgerow landscapes. With its unspoilt nature, local history and wild atmosphere along the Bocq, this walk promises a wonderful immersion in one of the most beautiful regions of Wallonia.

After approximately 960 metres, the slope is steep, then reasonably uphill for about 2.3 kilometres.From there, it is all downhill until the last 200 metres.Very steep descent at around 4 kilometres, with a chain provided as a handrail.Start and finish at the same place. Car park 30 metres away.

After the magnificent view at the start of the walk over the Carondelet keep and its immediate surroundings, the walk passes by (and through) the surprising Crupet cave, built by the parish priest of the time (1866–1926), before heading towards Bauche along a lovely forest path.Just after the Bauche bridge, the route turns onto a path on the left, quickly joining the Bocq Tourist Railway, which it follows as far as the first level crossing.From there, the route begins to follow the River Bocq, passing under the railway line several times beneath the arches of beautiful stone bridges … or through tunnels, until it reaches the old Durnal-Dorinne station at Chansin.After the steep climb towards Durnal, the walk continues through the countryside towards Herbefays before turning left onto the small ridge road (this is the Condroz) and its northern viewpoint overlooking Maillen and Jassogne.Return to the starting point via the Bois des Comognes in Jassogne and the Insefy path.

Forest paths and trails, small country roads with little traffic, and paths connecting villages are sure to delight you in this part of the Namur Condroz. Large farms still in operation on the Assesse side, opulent houses on the banks of the Meuse and the Tricointe castle farm, completely renovated for housing and leisure on the Godinne side: the route allows you to discover a whole world of differences. The route offers a beautiful view of the Meuse valley from the heights of Mont-Godinne.