Circular route in the foothills of the Pays des Collines

Park on Place de Lahamaide, opposite the school and next to the Écomusée du Pays des Collines.

(S/E) Opposite the Écomusée, leave the square to the left and immediately ignore a dead-end on your right.
The small road leads to a crossroads, flanked by a wayside shrine. Continue straight ahead along the country lane, which is almost straight and offers a sweeping panorama: the horizon is dominated by the ridge of the Collines. You will reach a country crossroads, near another wayside shrine sheltered beneath a weeping willow. This is the place known as La Croix Philosophe.

(1) Turn sharply left towards the wayside shrine and, ignoring the fork to the right, take the path straight ahead, which slopes gently between small embankments. You walk through a hedgerow landscape, a countryside dotted with small poplar groves and rows of pollarded willows. You come out onto a main road: this is the Chaussée Brunehaut.

(2) Follow it briefly to the left and immediately turn right onto a small ‘dead-end’ road. At the last house, the old Miclotte farm, you’ll pass a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims of the Second World War. Beyond this, the road turns into a rustic path, the Sentier des Fusillés.
Near an isolated, dilapidated house, a rudimentary culvert and a stile lead to a meadow. Walk leftwards across it, following the ditch of a small stream lined with shrubs. At the end, another stile allows you to climb over the fence and leave the Sentier des Fusillés behind.
Then follow the small road to the right. At the corner of a farm, ignore the fork to the left. You will soon reach a junction, near the Ronsart Stream.

(3) Turn right onto a quiet little road, running alongside the stream. Pass a few isolated buildings, beyond which the road moves away from the stream and begins to climb.

(4) At the top, just past a small farm, turn right onto a country lane overlooking the countryside to your right.
At the first of two successive junctions, turn left. After passing a brick wayside shrine, you’ll come out onto a small road which, to the right, joins a road running perpendicular to it. You’ve now reached the hamlet of La Pierre.

(5) Take a sharp left and immediately leave the tarmac to the right to take a new rustic path that slopes gently and opens up to a panoramic view of the hills. It curves to the right and joins a small road, right next to a very old wooden crucifix.

(6) Follow the small road to the left. 300 m further on, turn right towards the Moulin du Tordoir. This small road through the Vert Marais winds through the wooded countryside. It passes a few scattered houses, crosses the Ruisseau du Tordoir and soon reaches the Moulin du Tordoir site on the left.

(7) Continue along this small road, which curves to the left, crosses the Ruisseau du Tordoir once more and runs alongside a row of houses, ending at a farm. Take care here: when you reach the farm, leave the tarmac and, on your right, take a narrow path flanked by unusual ironwork – the first signs of the Sentier de l’Étrange. It leads to a cluster of houses next to a venerable chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Paix.

(8) In front of the chapel, follow the path to the right to reach the N57. Cross it very carefully and continue straight ahead. A few dozen metres further on, at the corner of a building, turn sharply left. Ignore the tarmac path which, to the right, leads to a farm, but take the rustic path straight ahead that winds its way through the countryside. It curves gradually to the right and begins a long climb, away from Ellezelles, on your left. Towards the end, it bends to the left, next to a dilapidated wayside shrine, and comes out onto a road. You are now in the hamlet of Bruyère, a suburb of Ellezelles.

(9) Cross this neighbourhood straight towards the right. At the Y-junction, take the right-hand branch, a small road called Bruyère, which continues as a grassy path leading quickly to a picturesque spot on the Sentier de l’Étrange.
At the next junction, with a wayside shrine on the left and a bench and view on the right, turn left and head up to a nearby crossroads.

(10) Turn right there, at the corner of a house. At the next house, a grassy path takes over from the tarmac. After a few hundred metres, the path gives way to a small road. It passes a handful of houses – you are in Paradis – then heads down the hillside. Ignore a turn-off on the left and you’ll reach the foot of Paradis at a T-junction, a short distance from the N57 and a TEC bus stop on the right.

(11) Continue very briefly to the left and quickly leave the tarmac to the right to take a grassy path, which joins the N57. Cross it very carefully and continue straight ahead on Chemin des Carmes. Along the way, this name changes to Hanaise.

(12) About 500 m further on, after a road branches off to the left, take the adjacent Hanaise-paved path on the left, which runs alongside a housing estate, passes an oratory and eventually leads out opposite Place de Flobecq.

(13) Cross the N57 very carefully to reach the esplanade surrounding the church. There are several cafés where you can enjoy a snack. Walk past the church on the right, along Place de Cairanne, and at the chevet, straight ahead, take an unusual covered passageway. This leads to a small courtyard, which extends into an alleyway. At the next T-junction, turn right. This new alley leads onto a street which you should follow to the right until you reach Place André Nouille.

(14) Cross the N57 again, taking care, and, opposite, take Rue de la Crête towards the Jacky Leroy sports centre.

(15) Just past this centre, turn left at the foot of a chapel. The almost straight country lane overlooks the valley of the Ruisseau du Tordoir and heads towards the Notre-Dame des Fièvres Chapel.

(16) Then turn right. The path slopes gently, passes a handful of houses, becomes tarmac and, running alongside the Ruisseau du Tordoir, joins a road at right angles.
Follow it to the right, taking care. Ignore the first turn-off to the left and, at the next two, turn left to reach Place de Wodecq, dominated by the church.

(17) Walk past the church. Take at least a quick look, then go round it by turning left. Leave the square via a path that runs alongside a football pitch. At the T-junction, you’re back by the Ruisseau de Tordoir. Follow it to the right. You’ll pass the old Moulin du Mouflu.
In a bend to the right, the small road moves away from the stream and heads towards the Quesnoit district. Just past a wayside shrine, you reach a fork.

(18) Turn sharply left here. After about 350 m, you’ll reach another junction in front of a secluded farmhouse marked by a wayside cross. Turn right and, almost in a straight line, begin a lovely walk through the countryside. The rustic path climbs gradually.
Note here: A glance back offers a sweeping panorama towards Lessines, which can be spotted thanks to a modern water tower.
Ignore a fork to the right just before reaching a crossroads at a place called Marloyaux.

(19) Cross straight ahead with care. Your small road soon leaves this outlying area. Continue for about 600 m.

(20) At the junction marked with post number 65, leave the tarmac and turn left onto a dirt track, the Sentier du Séhut, meaning ‘Willow Path’.
At the next fork, take the grassy path to the right, which is somewhat uneven and runs alongside a fence. The Sentier du Séhut requires you to step over a rudimentary stile to cross a meadow and reach a junction, just before a farm, which marks the end of the Sentier du Séhut.

(21) Continue to the right, following a grassy path lined with pollarded willows. It bends to the right and leads to the corner of a small road, just a stone’s throw from the entrance to a farm. Continue to the left. You’ll pass the farm entrance and join a larger road.

(22) Follow it to the right until you reach the next bend. Leave the road there and take the gravel track that leads you through the countryside. It curves to the left and reaches the nearby crossroads at Croix Philosophe.

(1) This time, turn left to retrace your steps along the morning country lane. Go straight ahead past the crossroads flanked by a wayside shrine and take the small road that leads you peacefully back to Place de Lahamaide (S/E).

Alternative route:
(17) From Wodecq, you can shorten the route by about 1.5 km. To do this, in front of the church, continue straight ahead past a house. Cross a culvert, turn into a narrow lane and continue straight ahead. The grassy path crosses the countryside, passes the Oratory of the Blanche Chapelle and reaches a junction in the heart of a small cluster of houses in Quesnoit. Continue straight ahead to join the path of the main route. Follow it to the right and you will soon arrive at the crossroads, at (19) in Marloyaux.

(S/E) Car park, benches, café and chip shop
(1) Bench, picnic area
(8) Bench at the back of the chapel. A peaceful spot for a short break.
Between (9) and (10) Picnic area: tables, bench.
(13) On Place de Flobecq: gazebo offering shelter if needed, benches. Cafés and chip shop.
(16) Picnic area
(17) Café

(S/E) Pays des Collines Ecomuseum: this museum, established in 1974, aims to preserve the memory of rural life in the Pays des Collines and keep the spirit of the region alive. A traditional pub allows you to sample local beers and other specialities.
The reason the car park features a portrait of the Count of Egmont is that Lamoral d’Egmont, who was executed on the Grand-Place in Brussels, was born in Lahamaide on 18 November 1522. His castle stood in the neighbouring meadow. Beyond that, the brick building with circular windows is thought to be a remnant of the stables.

(1) This curious name, Croix Philosophe, is said to date back to the 18th century: a farmer reputed to be a philosopher was reportedly caught in a violent storm at this exposed spot. He is said to have promised to erect a cross there if he survived. A promise kept.

Between (1) and (3) Memorial plaque: it is dedicated to the victims of the tragic events of 5 September 1944. Resistance fighters perished there with weapons in hand, whilst the survivors were shot by the Germans. Hence the name of the path connecting the small road.

(7) Moulin du Tordoir: various information panels are dedicated to it on site. In short, its existence is documented as far back as 1276. It gave its name to the nearby stream. This name stems from the fact that, originally, this mill was used solely to press seeds and fruits to produce oil. Flour production came much later. Restored fairly recently and fitted with a new bucket wheel, it combines flour production with its role as a hydroelectric power station. It is open to visitors.

Between (7) and (8), the Sentier de l’Étrange is a walk that begins in Ellezelles, at the Maison du Pays des Collines. It takes its name from the strange figures conjured up by the imagination of local artist Jacques Vandewattyne, alias Watkyne. You will encounter other examples of these figures in the Ellezelles area. It is up to you to decide whether these creations enhance or detract from the sites of the Collines.

(8) The Chapel of Our Lady of Peace: the wrought-iron anchors on the façade bear the date 1672. This venerable chapel, built in this peaceful spot, was a destination for many pilgrimages during the First World War.

Between (9) and (10) This spot, equipped for a picnic, is well worth a contemplative break, even though it is said to be haunted by witches. Indeed, an ingenious setting frames a breathtaking view of the Ellezelles countryside and, on the horizon, the Frasnes Hills.

(13) Flobecq Church: Saint Luke’s Church marks the transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles. Its architectural layout is influenced by Flemish hall churches. It houses a 13th-century reliquary of Saint Christopher, made of silver and vermeil.

(16) Chapel of Our Lady of the Fevers.

(17) Wodecq Church: the construction of Saint-Quentin Church dates from 1835, as indicated by the wrought-iron anchors. However, the bell tower, built of rubble stone, already belonged to the old church and may even date back to the sanctuary’s origins. It does, however, feature Gothic alterations from the 15th or 16th centuries.

Between (17) and (18) Moulin du Mouflu. This mill, like the Moulin du Tordoir, is one of the many mills powered by the Ruisseau du Tordoir. The waterwheel can still be seen at the rear of the building, accessed via a culvert.