Bilstain and Limbourg circular loop

Start next to the church in the village of Bilstain; parking available along the sports field (Au Pairon).

(S/E) Go round the sports ground via Rue Neupré. At the end, turn right and follow Chemin des Échaliers (Red Rectangle).

(1) At the end of the street, enter the meadow by following the path opposite. Then enter the woods.

(2) Cross the Pancherelle stream by heading straight across a motorbike trial and enduro track (RDMC Bilstain - Domaine Trial Enduro). This isn’t always the quietest part of the walk.
Cross a small road and continue straight ahead, still on the Chemin des Échaliers.

(3) Just before a small stream, continue to follow it, turning 90° to your right. At the small road, turn left and join a main road.

(4) Turn left onto the Route d’Andrimont (take care) and, in the wide left-hand bend, enter the meadow on the right via a stile. Reach the residential area and Rue Wooz at the end of the meadow. Continue to the right then turn left onto Chemin du Meunier until the first road on the right (at the cross), whilst continuing to follow the red markings of the Chemin des Échaliers.

(5) Follow Rue Bayaux. Caution! Leave the Chemin des Échaliers, which branches off to the left across the fields just before the left-hand bend at the small stream. Continue to the very tight Y-junction just after a small red-brick chapel on the left.

(6) Take the right-hand branch of the Y-junction, cross a small stream and reach a wide path at the entrance to the Grunhaut Forest.

(7) Take this wide path, which is circular and loops through the forest as you approach the motorway and the wildlife bridge that allows forest animals to cross the motorway. Continue along the circular path, which takes you back to the edge of the forest.

(7) As you leave the forest, turn left onto the road and follow it to the junction with Rue de Hoyoux.

(8) Turn left onto Route de Hoyoux, pass the hamlet on your right and then a pond surrounded by trees, also on your right. Pass under a power line and take the path that branches off to the right (^GR® route).

(9) At the next junction, enter the meadow on the right via a stile and follow the^GR® across the meadow.

(10) As you follow the^GR®, take a moment to stop at a beautiful little chapel which stands at the head of a peaceful valley where two or three houses nestle. Head down the Chemin du Saint-Roch towards a quarry.

(11) When you reach a gate, take a sharp left-hand bend and follow the GR^®.

(12) At the first junction, after crossing a meadow, turn right and walk along the edge of the Cerviers-Welkenraedt railway line. Cross the railway line.

(13) Follow the wide path as it veers to the right.

(14) At the first junction, take the path on the right and leave the^GR® here^. This will take you to the main street (Hontem and Rue Joseph Wauters) which leads down towards Limbourg,

(15) Cross the square to reach the footbridge opposite, which crosses the Vesdre. After crossing, turn right, follow Quai Pireux to the next bridge and cross the Vesdre again. Join Rue Moulin en Rhuyff.

(16) Follow it to the left, go under the railway line and continue straight on along Rue de la Bergerie. At the end of this street, climb the steps to reach Thiers de Villers. Follow this main road to the left, which has a pavement.

(17) Enter Bilstain via Rue Calabosse, then take Rue Village on the right. Pass the small rest area on your right, then head up Rue Neupré until you reach the back of the church. Return to the starting car park via the footpath that goes round the cemetery and leads to “Au Pairon” (S/E).

The only places for food and refreshments are in the centre of Limbourg (15).

Picnic spot: the small chapel encountered in Houyoux (10).