From Orchimont to Bellefontaine via the old local road

This lovely walk gradually follows the Orchimont stream along the old local road (line 553) and returns via the Bellefontaine stream valley. At the entrance to the village of Bellefontaine, a short detour leads to the Saint-Furcy Fountain and the Grotto of Notre-Dame de Bellefontaine.

Details

n°1402828

Creation:
20 Aug 2018

Last update:
05 Oct 2022

Last review:
16 Oct 2023

Activity: Walking
Distance: 14.72 km
Average duration: 4h 50
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 219 m
Descent: - 227 m
Highest point: 409 m
Lowest point: 268 m

Country: Belgium
Area: Massif des Ardennes
City: Vresse-sur-Semois
Start/End: N 49.889974° / E 4.923853°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3008SB
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Description of the walk

Coming from Vresse-sur-Semois, leave your car in the car park near the old local railway station, situated below the village of Orchimont, in a bend just before the bridge.

(S/E) Pass to the left of the small station and follow the stony path that marks the route of the old local railway line (line 553). Cross the Ruisseau d’Orchimont, then keep it on your left at all times.

(1) At the small station "Nafraiture", continue along the stony path.

(2) Head straight ahead. Further on, ignore the path climbing up to the right and stay to the right of the stream. At the crossroads, continue straight up, ignoring the paths branching off to the right and left.

(3) At km 5.3, just before a sign indicating “Oudremont 1.7 km”, leave the old local road and take the path on the right, which heads diagonally and now follows the Ruisseau du Fayai. Continue until you reach the tarmac road and turn right towards the village of Bellefontaine. Walk past the vineyard and cross the junction (towards Bellefontaine).

(4) 100 metres after the crossroads, take the forest track that veers off to the right. At the end of the path, opposite a meadow, turn left and a few metres further on turn right (view of Bellefontaine!). Continue to the end of the path, along the meadows. At the end of the path (sign for “Le Petit Bois, Les Fayais”), turn left and head down towards the village.

(5) At the crossroads, at the entrance to the village, take the road leading down to the right, towards “Fontaine St-Furcy”. At the fork, turn left.

(6) Fontaine Saint-Furcy. Opposite, on the hillside, view of the Grotte de Notre-Dame. Retrace your steps until you reach a forest path on the left at the 180-degree bend. Further on, the path overlooks the Ruisseau de Bellefontaine on your left. Ignore all paths branching off to the right.

(7) At the sign for “Grand Moinil”, continue left, still following the Ruisseau de Bellefontaine on your left. At the sign for “Le Petit Chènet”, continue straight on towards “Orchimont 1.8 km”.

(8) At the end of the forest track, opposite a wooden barn, take the tarmac road leading to the village centre. At the first junction, turn left and head down towards the car park.

(9) On leaving the village, turn right onto “Rue du Château”, then right again at the junction, and continue down towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 276 m - Starting point: Vicinal Station
1 : km 1.61 - alt. 307 m - Nafraiture Station
2 : km 2.5 - alt. 314 m - Set off straight ahead.
3 : km 5.16 - alt. 381 m - Signpost "Oudremont 1.7 km"
4 : km 6.83 - alt. 394 m - Junction
5 : km 8.05 - alt. 350 m - Bellefontaine entrance
6 : km 8.52 - alt. 334 m - Saint-Furcy Fountain
7 : km 10.9 - alt. 326 m - Grand Moinil
8 : km 13.56 - alt. 313 m - Entrance to Orchimont
9 : km 14.24 - alt. 294 m - Rue du Château (Orchimont)
S/E : km 14.72 - alt. 277 m - Arrival: Car park

Notes

Despite the cumulative elevation gain of around 200 metres, this walk is not difficult, as the slope of the local track is very gentle. It is particularly recommended on hot, sunny days, as the walk takes place mainly under the canopy of trees.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Picnics are possible at the car park. Inside the shelter, there are information boards recounting the history of the 553 local road.
(5.) Saint-Furcy fountain (drinking water)
(7.) Bison: At the end of the forest track at the entrance to Orchimont, take the path that heads back up for about fifty metres to see the bison.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.3 / 5

Lucw

16 Oct 2023 at 13:34 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

For those who enjoy picnics, there are benches and tables at the start and also one along the route. A very pleasant walk with no difficulty at all

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ArinaTomberg

04 Oct 2022 at 22:05 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is already the third walk we’ve started at the old Orchimont local station. They’re all different and all very beautiful. We really enjoyed this one, which we did on a lovely October’s day. The paths are wide, and the gradients are barely noticeable.
There is a picnic area at point 1. A small bench between points 4 and 5 with a lovely view of Bellefontaine. There’s a bench not far from the Saint Fursy fountain. There’s a bench at point 7 at a place called Grand Moinil and at point 8 after you come out of the forest. There’s almost no mobile signal along the way. If you’re using the app, you’ll need to download it well before setting off.

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HARDIV

29 Mar 2021 at 08:15 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk. I enjoyed the gentle, steady climb along the old railway line as it winds its way through the forest.

Filling up your water bottle at the fountain in Saint-Furcy is bound to be a lovely stop.

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Gpspeedmetal89

24 Jun 2020 at 20:08 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A lovely walk through the heart of the Ardennes countryside.

It’s long but easy to walk as the paths are wide, the climbs aren’t steep, and there’s always a tree stump, rock or log to sit on and rest, have a bite to eat or a drink.

The Saint-Furcy fountain in Bellefontaine, with its refreshingly cool water, is perfect for washing up and topping up your bottle before tackling the remaining half of the route.

If you fancy stopping to cool your feet in the stream just before heading back to the starting point, there’s a path leading down on the road as you leave the village of Orchimont, on the left. However, I’d only recommend it to the more adventurous, as it’s very narrow and steep, and if you’re not careful, you could tumble down the slope at the side. You’ll find yourself in a very peaceful spot

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Author

ManuRavel
71 Walks

Visorando Member

City: Liège

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