In the Ardennes, on the smuggling trails

Starting point: Gespunsart Church.

(S/E) Start on Rue des Laquans, then turn right onto Rue Haute and join Rue des Waquignons. Turn left.

(1) At the fork, take the right-hand path, Rue de Baransart, and continue until you reach the fortified house.

(2) Continue in the same direction on Chemin Rural de Bagimont until you reach a path going uphill on the left.

(3) Take this road and, after a fork to the right, join Chemin des Poteaux.

(4) Turn left and take the first right, then immediately left to descend into the Ruisseau du Hirdoux valley. Continue until you reach Pré Daru.

(5) Turn left and cross the Ruisseau du Hirdoux, then follow a grassy path that runs along the edge on your left until you cross the Ruisseau du Bois Jean.

(6) Cross the stream and continue left until you reach the Baraque Léger, located just after the Ruisseau de Flexa. Only a few tiles remain visible on the ground.

(7) Leave the main path opposite and take a grassy path on the left. Beaver dams are visible nearby. Continue through the Vallon du Bois Jean to reach the ruins of the Baraque Cagneaux.

(8) Continue towards the Baraque Gérard, cross the stream on a small footbridge and reach the ruins of the hut.

GR®16 signposting

(9) Keep going in the same direction, take the right fork, pass a pretty house and you'll reach the Baraque Laurent. This is the only hut that's still inhabited today and is used as a group lodge.

(10) Retrace your steps, leave the path leading to the right, and at the fork, take the path on the right.
At the next fork, keep right on a small path and turn right at the first opportunity to follow the Goulanru from a distance and climb up to the Chemin des Gardes.

(11) Take the Chemin des Gardes on the left. This path, which overlooks the border in the distance, winds its way above the various valleys of the Bois Jean tributaries. Reach the fire-fighting water reserve at the Gorge Montal.

(12) Continue along the Chemin des Gardes and, via a path on the right, reach the Route Forestière des Grandes Hazelles.

(13) Turn left until you reach the barrier marking the edge of the national forest, then take the wide forest path opposite to the ruins of an old hunting cabin (altitude 337).

(14) Go down to the left to reach the village.

(1) Before Rue des Waquignons, take a lane on the right to rejoin Rue des Laquans and the church (S/E).

The fortified house of Gespunsart.