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The section on the old local road between points (1) and (2) is quite noisy due to the nearby road, and the first kilometre is not very busy: brambles, nettles and fallen trees slow down progress somewhat, but do not pose any real problems.
The few steep climbs put your calves to the test and the few stile steps between km 6 and 7 (on either side of point (3)) require a bit of flexibility.
Getaway to Houte-si-Plou
This is a circular in the Liège Condroz region, mostly through forest, although the start and end are more rural.
It is always a pure delight to walk in the woods of Esneux or Anthisnes, whatever the season.
Houte-si-Plou has already been the subject of much discussion and, according to legend, much water, as it is said to be a miller asking his son to "listen for rain" when he went to bed and there was not enough water in the stream to run the mill.
Nowadays, the expression Houte-si-Plou refers more to an imaginary place, unknown, non-existent or simply located at the end of the world, far from civilisation.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 19.24 km -
Average duration: 6h 35 -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 388 m -
Descent: - 393 m -
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Highest point: 290 m -
Lowest point: 119 m
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 260 m - Villers-aux-Tours cemetery
- 1 : km 3.49 - alt. 150 m - Seat of a former local road
- 2 : km 5.51 - alt. 128 m - Houte-si-Plou
- 3 : km 6.55 - alt. 122 m - N638
- 4 : km 7.99 - alt. 230 m - Bois d'Esneux
- 5 : km 10.71 - alt. 237 m - Menhir (sculpture) at the bottom of Targnon
- 6 : km 11.87 - alt. 209 m - Crossing the road
- 7 : km 13.34 - alt. 290 m - Drève du Bois d'Anthisnes
- S/E : km 19.24 - alt. 260 m - Villers-aux-Tours cemetery
Notes
There are some steep climbs and the elevation gain measured by our smartwatches easily exceeds 500 m, contrary to the automatic calculation made by Visorando... this led me to change the difficulty from 'medium' (the default setting suggested by Visorando) to 'difficult'.
Be careful when crossing the national road at the following points (1), (2), (3) and (6) as traffic is fast and the bends reduce visibility. The section on the road in the village of Villers-aux-Tours is not a problem as the speed limit is low and there are sufficiently wide pavements or verges.
Reviews and comments
4.3 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
4.5 / 5
User 28499058
Overall rating : 4.5 / 5
Date of your route : Mar 01, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A very beautiful walk, except for the 2 km stretch along the road between Hout-si-plou and Ouffet, which is noisy on a spring Sunday.
Machine-translated
Dantanna
Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of your route : Mar 02, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
Hello,
A very beautiful hike, very well prepared, with magnificent woods. The only slight downside is the path along the busy and noisy road. Thank you.
Machine-translated
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