Circular of Bonne Espérance Abbey

For this circular, park in the small car park in front of Bonne Espérance Abbey. On your return, you can enjoy a beer or a slice of sugar tart...

Details

3091362
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.11 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 70 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 66 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 152 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 75 m
  • ⚐ Country: Belgium
  • ⚐ District: Estinnes 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 50.386055° / E 4.13954°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2806O
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the small car park, head west and go down Rue de l'Étoile on your right, between the farm and the barn. A little further on, the road becomes a farm track. You will see the bell tower of the basilica on your right. Continue straight ahead until you reach the three-way junction.

(1) Continue straight ahead and then turn left. You will cross a bridge over Ravel and the dirt track becomes asphalt again. Continue to the junction with Rue de Mon Plaisir, where you will find the small chapel of Notre-Dame de Bonne Espérance.

(2) Continue straight ahead, cross the Ruisseau de Bruille and you will reach Rue de Clerfayt, where there is another small chapel: Saint-François-de-Paule.

(3) Continue straight ahead along the dirt track. When you come to another road, continue straight ahead along the dirt track, which is soon accompanied by a small stream.

(4) When you reach the asphalt road, turn left to go uphill. You have reached the lowest point of the walk!
The road is a cul-de-sac that continues as a dirt track, so you shouldn't encounter any cars.

(5) Turn right onto the path and follow it to the road. Cross over to continue straight ahead.

(6) Enjoy the view and continue straight ahead until the next crossroads.

(7) Turn left onto the road, which becomes a dirt track again. At the end of the war, a German column that had been strafed by an Allied aircraft was reportedly buried in the fields bordering this track.
Continue straight ahead, crossing a bridge over the same Ravel as before. This bridge is the highest point in Estinnes-au-Mont, and also of your walk. Continue straight ahead on the dirt track with the abbey on your left.

(8) When you reach the asphalt road, turn left and continue to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 141 m - Bonne Espérance Abbey car park
  2. 1 : km 1.2 - alt. 136 m - First fork, straight ahead
  3. 2 : km 2.14 - alt. 104 m - Chapel of Our Lady of Bonne Espérance
  4. 3 : km 2.58 - alt. 99 m - Chapel of Saint Francis of Paola
  5. 4 : km 3.58 - alt. 75 m - Tarmac road, on the left
  6. 5 : km 4.93 - alt. 113 m - Turn right.
  7. 6 : km 5.56 - alt. 125 m - Viewpoint - Estinnes
  8. 7 : km 6.07 - alt. 127 m - Crossroads, on the left!
  9. 8 : km 8.07 - alt. 152 m - Junction, on the left
  10. S/E : km 9.11 - alt. 141 m - Bonne Espérance Abbey car park

Notes

This route is not suitable for people with reduced mobility or pushchairs.
The trail may be muddy in places.
You are more likely to encounter hares and pheasants than people on this trail.

Worth a visit

Bonne Espérance Abbey is the highlight of this hike.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 19803885

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk but very little shade, best avoided on a hot day... bring a cap, hat and sun cream.

The abbey courtyard is very beautiful, with a lovely view of the huge wind turbines in Estinnes... In season, you can enjoy a cold beer to refresh yourself after your walk.

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Jocelyne.duquenoy
Jocelyne.duquenoy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The description of the hike is perfect, but it's only moderately interesting, as most of it takes place on paths or small roads through fields. The main attraction is the abbey, which is open to visitors.
Nevertheless, it's a good way to get some fresh air.

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ArinaTomberg
ArinaTomberg

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

A rather monotonous walk, between country roads and asphalt paths. To add a little variety, we took a detour around Wauhu Wood.

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pphilippe
pphilippe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is mainly through the countryside, but it's not unpleasant at all (contrary to the monotony mentioned by some). There may well be mud, which can be unpleasant, but we did the route in freezing weather, so no problem! The same goes for the condition of the paths: in the middle of winter, there's no overgrown vegetation.

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Christelle_Rando
Christelle_Rando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

it's a lovely walk until the transition between points 4 and 5, where the path after the road is not maintained and, in summer, brambles, thistles and nettles over a metre high make it dangerous to cross. I recommend avoiding this section by taking the field on the left.

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Thomas Lepage
Thomas Lepage

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Walk as described,

It's a shame that the route is a bit monotonous, but it's ideal for finding some peace and quiet.

Ideal starting and finishing point with the opportunity to enjoy a good beer at the Abbey tavern.

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randomiquinqua
randomiquinqua

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, allowing us to discover a new corner of our beautiful country...
Very accurate description and map; caution for those sensitive to heat: many open sections and a "bowl" effect when the sun is shining and it is quite warm: bring water and head protection. The abbey is a must-see after the walk.

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RIZZANTE
RIZZANTE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, easy and pleasant route with magnificent panoramic views of the Estinnois countryside and beyond.
The only drawback is that some of the paths are no longer very well used and can be a little difficult to navigate, but it is still doable.

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fricot chantal
fricot chantal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very easy walk, somewhat monotonous landscape, but it was pleasant.

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Yudansha63
Yudansha63

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Under sunny skies but with lower temperatures than the day before (from 24°C to 11°C), we discovered a very simple walk. Easy to do, as the ground was dry. The landscape was a little monotonous. But we'll be back to visit the abbey. The paths were quite busy today, but it wasn't a problem (we even think we overtook a group of Visorandonneurs 😉). Very nice.

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Virginie Vae
Virginie Vae

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk. No roads, just pleasant trails and paths. Quite muddy in places, so make sure you wear good footwear (no flip-flops!!!). Thank you for sharing!

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Didou853
Didou853

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk, despite all the mud..

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Robert Gregoire
Robert Gregoire

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant journey.

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avin
avin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, shame that two paths are not well maintained (brambles and nettles), but isn't every walk a little adventure? Overall, very happy with the route.

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Daniel Poley
Daniel Poley

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
Beautiful scenery for a pleasant hike, except between points 4 and 6 where the path is difficult to walk on (nettles, brambles; ouch, your legs when you're wearing shorts!). Fortunately, you can go through the field...

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