Circuit in the Saint-Hubert forest starting from Fourneau Saint-Michel

Park in car park P1 at Fourneau Saint-Michel. Coming from Masbourg, this car park is the last one at Fourneau Saint-Michel, after the rural museum, on the left-hand side of the road.

(S/E) Join the small road above the car park and follow it uphill. Turn right at the first fork

(1) Turn right again at the second fork onto a gravel path (temporary end of the tarmac). Turn left at the third fork nearby.

(2) Pass the first bench, which offers a view of the vast expanse of forest to the south. Continue up the path. It eventually turns north. Leave a descending path on your right, near a bench, and continue to the small tarmac road nearby.

(3) Turn right onto this very quiet road. Continue right at a fork in the road. One hundred and fifty metres before a larger road, turn right at an acute angle onto a gravel path (post with markers).

(4) Immediately afterwards, make a short detour to the Étang de Bilaude bird observatory, a beautiful picnic spot. Continue down the path above the Bilaude stream. "The murmur of the water will accompany you until the end of the hike." Pass a bench where you can admire a stream rushing down the slope opposite.

(5) At the confluence with the Ri du Pied de Bœuf (another bench), continue along the wide descending path. The stream in the main valley, after the confluence, is called the Masblette.

(6) Cross the Masblette on the footbridge (Pont Mauricy)... or wade across, as you wish. There is also a bench here. Continue along the main path into the valley. Ignore a path on the right that leads to the old Pont Colle (collapsed).

(7) If you wish, take a short stroll through the arboretum, where there are several benches (the gate is usually closed but not locked). A few beautiful large trees remain, but many others have unfortunately disappeared. Continue to the road and go down it to the right until you reach the car park (S/E).

In this beautiful forest, we would have preferred small trails rather than gravel paths (which are comfortable), but there are none. However, the paths allow you to explore this secluded area. The hike is intended for lovers of large forests; others may find it a little monotonous. Depending on the season, you can find various interesting plants. The ideal seasons are summer (the altitude and shade make it possible to do this route when it is hot) and autumn for the colours (but beware of hunting).

The Museum of Rural Life in Wallonia is a superb open-air museum that is not to be missed, but unless you start the hike very early in the day, it will be difficult to do both on the same day. What's more, visiting the museum means walking a few more kilometres...