Circular Étang de Chawion from Spa

Starting from Spa station, we will make a circular tour through the Bois de Staneu, go to the Étang de Chawion and then return via Spaloumont.

Details

2210410
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 208 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 205 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 369 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 243 m

Description of the walk

There are several options for getting there:
- by car: park in the free car park,
- By bus or train: get off at Spa station.

(S/E) Departure in front of Spa station, take the stairs on Rue de Beaurieux, then cross Avenue de la Reine Astrid to the porch of Queen Marie-Henriette's house.

(1) Pass under the porch of Queen Marie-Henriette's house, walk along the horse museum on the left, then go around the old C.P.A.S. building on the left.
Turn left onto Rue Hanstier, then take the beginning of Promenade des Français.

(2) At the fork, turn right and follow the path to the top, then continue straight ahead following the signs for "Parcours Vita". Once you reach the wider path, cross it and turn right. Cross another wider path and join another one.

(3) Turn right onto this wide north-east path and continue straight ahead.

(4) At the end of the path, turn right for about 100 metres, then turn left towards the Étang de Chawion. Once you have passed the pond, turn left onto a wider path.

(5) Turn right just before the Ru de Chawion and follow the Extratrail signs to a small wooden bridge.

(6) Cross the wooden bridge and follow the path straight ahead to Chemin de Frahinfaz.

(7) Turn right and at the next crossroads, continue straight ahead.

(8) Take the unmarked forest path on the left. At the bottom, continue left onto Promenade des Français and then Rue Hanstier.

(9) Turn right after the old C.P.A.S. (Public Social Welfare Centre) building and cross the park.

(1) At the exit, cross Avenue de la Reine Astrid, then take Rue de la Gare and you will arrive at the station (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 252 m - Departure from Spa railway station - Gare ferroviaire et arrêt de bus
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 246 m - Avenue de la Reine Astrid
  3. 2 : km 0.89 - alt. 272 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 2.64 - alt. 350 m - Wide path on the right
  5. 4 : km 3.57 - alt. 273 m - On the right at the bottom of the path
  6. 5 : km 4.02 - alt. 262 m - Ru de Chawion - Etang de Chawion
  7. 6 : km 5.51 - alt. 320 m - Wooden bridge over the Petit Chawion stream
  8. 7 : km 6.5 - alt. 349 m - 1st path on the right
  9. 8 : km 7.24 - alt. 349 m - Unmarked forest path
  10. 9 : km 7.85 - alt. 247 m - On the right after the CPAS building
  11. S/E : km 8.26 - alt. 252 m - Return to Spa station - Gare ferroviaire et arrêt de bus

Notes

- Good walking boots
- Walking sticks for those who use them
- Gaiters in winter as the paths can be quite muddy

At the Chawion Pond, there is a small shelter and a bench where you can rest.

At Spa station, depending on the time of day, you can have a drink at the brasserie opposite and/or eat chips at the chip shop nearby.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
François BERNARD
François BERNARD

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery in a region that is already well known

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benoit lin
benoit lin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk in the woods, but you need the itinerary to find your way.

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Cats
Cats

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A short, very easy walk with no particular points of interest.

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Jjwjjw1911
Jjwjjw1911

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
Superb walk, it was brilliant.
One downside: the description lacks visual landmarks, even though the forest is full of them (except for the wooden bridge and following the ultra-trail).
At the start, we had to "find" the Marie Henriette house (after crossing the avenue, it's not clear whether to go right or left, as there is no number indicated on the Avenue Reine Astrid map), and we walked along the horse museum on the left as instructed, but we ended up at the back of the property.
There were lots of paths crossing in the forest and we hesitated more than once. That said, the paths were completely covered in dead leaves.
The route on the map was great, and I was glad I had it.
It was St. Nicholas Day, so there weren't many people around.
Beautiful forest, beautiful route.
Thank you very much.

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Pascale_134
Pascale_134

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk. A pleasant and varied route. Apart from at the start and finish, there are no roads or paths used by cars. The description could be a little more detailed, but the route map is excellent. Thank you.

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RandoExplo
RandoExplo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Sunny weather, a very pleasant family hike

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Jean-Pol
Jean-Pol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A truly magnificent hike, but geolocation is absolutely essential given the large number of hiking trails that criss-cross in all directions and could cause you to lose your way and go round in circles!

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