From Spa to Franchimont (circular route)

Starting from Spa railway station; you can also come by bus or leave your car in the free car park in front of the station.

(S/E) Take Rue de Beaulieu, cross Avenue de la Reine Astrid and pass under the porch of the Queen’s house. Then turn left onto Rue Hanster, and left again onto Promenade des Français.

(1) Take the path leading uphill to the right and follow the Extratrail signs to the top. Pass the Belvédère des Aigles.

(2) At the red and white barrier, turn left.

(3) At the junction with Avenue de la Princesse Clémentine, continue straight ahead and, 50 metres further on at the Fork in the road, turn left.

(4) After the small wooden bridge, turn right onto the right bank of the Ru-du-Petit-Chawion. Then follow Avenue de l’Hippodrome, then Chemin du Golf to the left.

(5) After the golf club buildings, turn left at the sign for Grand-Ru-de-Chawion.

(6) After the bridge on the left, follow the Grand-Chawion on the right bank; note the beaver dams you will see a little further on.

(7) After the small ford, turn left; this ford is easy to cross.

(8) Another small ford which is easily crossed; turn right onto a path that climbs and then heads due north.

(9) Turn left onto a small tarmac road (the Chemin du Plain) and follow it for about 200m. Then turn right and follow the first path you come to for about 250m.

(10) Take the first small path on the left and continue straight on.

(11) The Poleuhé Oak, a remarkable tree. Continue straight on towards the power line.

(12) At the field gate, turn right twice and head down to the road. Go left for 100m and turn right.

(13) Enter the field and follow the track closely; this will lead you to a path that climbs to the left into the woods.

(14) The 11th-century Château de Franchimont; head down the path at the foot of the castle on the left. At the fork, turn left towards the stream, which you must cross. Head right onto the road, then left after the railway line. Follow the stream. First turn right then left to cross the railway line again. Directly beneath the power line, head all the way to the left.

(15) At the red and white barrier, turn left. Pass under the power line and follow it. At the junction with the road, turn right and, 350m further on, left onto a path; follow this straight on, ignoring three paths on the left. At a crossroads, continue straight on, then quickly turn right. Cross a road.

(16) Chêne de la Vierge, a remarkable tree. Continue along the path. Reach the stream and turn right.

(17) At the red and white barrier, turn left and follow the Grand-Chawion along its right bank.

(18) Go round the Étang de Chawion on the right, following the stream.

(19) Turn right, on the left bank of a small stream, onto the path that climbs. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead along a good path.

(20) At the junction, turn left.

(21) Go straight on, following part of the fitness trail. Join the Promenade des Français and turn left.

(1) Continue along this promenade for about fifty metres and turn right onto a short detour to pass through the Queen’s House park. After the museum, rejoin the path you took on the way out to reach Spa railway station (S/E).

(S/E) Spa railway station, bus terminal and free car park.
The walk can be done in any season.
It is advisable to bring gaiters and good walking boots in winter, as some sections may be muddy.

(S/E) There is a brasserie opposite Spa railway station and a chip shop nearby.

(6) After the bridge, turn left and follow a path along the Grand-Chawion where you will see several beaver dams.

(11) A remarkable tree, the Poleuhé Oak.

(14)The 11th-century medievalcastle of Franchimont

(16) A tchène a l'vierje (The Virgin’s Oak), a remarkable tree

The town of Spa and the Spa thermal baths: things to do and see whilst you’re in the area.