Cons-la-Grandville walks

A walk along the Chiers, on a mainly tarmac-surfaced and easily accessible route. This walk takes you close to former industrial and production sites that are now disused. In the tranquillity of the forest, imagine the hum of activity from days gone by still echoing amongst the trees and the remnants of the past.

This very natural route takes you on a journey of discovery through the wooded hills on the border between the Batte (Belgium) and Coulmy (France) valleys.Anyone with even a passing interest in the region's industrial history will also discover its mining and steel-making past, highlighted by the Transfrontier Iron Mines Trail and a number of information panels along the route.The trail passes by some of the iron mines that brought prosperity to the region in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the Musson slag heap, which over time collected all the slag from the mines on the Musson and Halanzy sides. Now cleaned up, it has been turned into a nature reserve managed by the DNF (Nature and Forestry Division).

As the weather is set to be rainy with thunderstorms all day, I’m sticking to the main roads – even the major routes – to get to my destination for the day, Habay-la-Neuve, as quickly as possible. I’m staying in a hotel in the town. The stop (E) is therefore at my discretion.

Gaume, this beautiful hilly region in southern Belgium, is known for its mild climate. However, I have no idea if the area is popular with hikers... There are hiking markers all along the route. It is possible that you will encounter few or no people.

Lasauvage and Fond-de-Gras are must-see sites for understanding the mining history of this cross-border region.The railway line between Fond-de-Gras and Pétange was built in the 19th century to facilitate the transport of iron ore from the hills to the steelworks and foundries located on the plain.The narrow-gauge network, which can be seen in both Lasauvage and Fond-de-Gras, was used to transport the ore from the underground mine galleries to the transfer points.Fond-de-Gras, formerly known as the Lamadelaine industrial station, has now become a living museum of the region’s mining and industrial past and houses magnificent relics from days gone by. It is also the home of the ‘Train 1900’ and ‘Minièresbunn’ (underground) tourist trains, which operate mainly at weekends and on public holidays from May to September.

Set in a very pretty rural setting with lush green valleys and a traditional village.

A beautiful walking route amongst the old stone buildings, tunnel fountains and the countryside. Although described as a walking route, this route can also be tackled by mountain bike (in which case, adjust the starting point due to road signage; see description).

A pleasant walk in Gaume, even in gloomy weather, through countryside and forests.The route begins by climbing up to the plateau overlooking Rachecourt before descending into the depths of the Batte valley.After the small reed pond, the route crosses the country ridge before descending to Battincourt, where the playground offers a few benches and a welcome picnic table.In Battincourt, the walk follows the marked "Les Sept Sources" trail in the opposite direction until just beyond the Battincourt ponds.On the way back, the route passes through a lovely arboretum!Please note that some sections, such as the Bois de Pertot, can be very muddy.

The mines, the mines of yesterday, the iron mines... this is the main theme of this hike.Fond-de-Gras is the most informative site on this subject: it was the station where narrow-gauge trains converged to unload iron ore into standard-gauge wagons bound for the steelworks and blast furnaces of Pétange, Differdange and others in Belgium and Germany.

Famous for its Witches’ Festival, Fillières also offers lovely walking trails. This one combines a walk through the forest with country lanes. It runs alongside the River Crusnes and offers you peaceful spots to recharge your batteries in the heart of nature.

Famous for its Witches’ Festival, Fillières also offers lovely countryside and woodland walking trails. This walk through the woods will let you discover the charms of the Crusnes through the seasons. The path is currently impassable due to fallen trees. Forestry work is not yet complete.

Start at the Ermitage de Saint-Léger, continue towards the Trou du Pérou and its waterfall, pass by the Étang du Fourneau David, then the Source Pétrifiante, and finish by crossing the Bois de Saint-Léger.

A pleasant walk passing through Montauban, the Fourneau Marchand fish market and crossing the old railway line. In summer, you can enjoy a drink on the terrace at the Fourneau Marchand!

What a lovely, enchanting walk! Enter the great Gaume forest. Passing through another beautiful high forest, you’ll follow a magnificent path winding through a secluded valley, where you’ll discover the Trou des Fées right at its heart. This astonishing sand dune is made up of several galleries carved out by natural erosion.

Leaving Meix-devant-Virton via roads with light to moderate traffic and arriving in Halanzy via similar roads does not mean the entire route is like this. No, there are quiet country lanes with beautiful views, farm tracks that turn into woodland paths, and a steep downhill stretch through a neighbourhood of holiday homes. And then there’s the River Ton, which sets the tone in its valley, along with more unexpected and unlikely paths and tracks. As I’m staying with a local, my stopping point is open to chance.

A beautiful gravel route with varied landscapes and stunning views. It’s a chance to pass by Orval Abbey and perhaps stop off at the Brasserie de La Rulles. This route takes in a variety of surfaces, including roads, farm tracks and forest paths. Please note: the route is quite challenging, with some steep climbs along the way.

Starting from Bellefontaine, a small village in the Gaume region, this is a lovely walk through the forests of Gaume to Meix-devant-Virton, following both sides of the Chevratte valley. Along the way, you’ll discover the Gros Cron (a remarkable geological formation in the Belgian Gaume) and its spring.

A very pleasant walk with sweeping views.