Gesves walks

This route at the intersection of Gesves, Haut-Bois and Faulx-les-Tombes will take you close to the Gesves provincial breeding and riding school, whose facilities can host international events.

"La Fête de Mai in Gesves is a wonderful artistic and human adventure in a rural setting. In 2001, nature and art lovers came up with a bold project: to invite artists from all over the world to create works of art in natural materials in the countryside. The May Festival is now 25 years old! In 25 years, our landscape has been enriched, in Gesves alone, by 136 works of land art. Some have returned to nature, while others still stand proudly for the enjoyment of hikers."Quote from Christian Beelaert, president of Vagabond'art asbl. All these works of art are linked by hiking trails that are accessible all year round.

Part of the Sentiers d'Art (Art Trails) is included in this hike. You will have the opportunity to discover four works of art in a natural setting: the Triskele, the Sans refuge, the Eau d'ici and the Chaise brûlée.

Gesves, a charming village in the Namur Condroz region, is said to take its name from "Gengeavia", which means "running water". Numerous streams criss-cross its territory before flowing into the Samson. The walk starts at the municipal administration building, winds its way through a few quiet streets and then joins the Bois de Gesves. After descending into the Samson valley, you reach the site of the old Bizonzon sandstone quarries, which were abandoned more than half a century ago.

Circular loop along the Samson with a few places where dogs can play in the water. Beware of bacteria present in several waterways at the moment: August 2020. You will be able to see some works of art during the hike.

Between the white farmhouse and the red farmhouse, take a narrow country road to discover an old mineral water production site that was the village's main industry for 60 years until 1971. Then head back up towards the hamlet of Mont-Sainte-Marie, whose origins date back tothe 12th century.

A beautiful nature outing: that's the essence of this walk.

Set off to explore the countryside and forests between Faulx-les-Tombes and Gesves.

This walk follows a discreet valley where water and forest have shaped the landscape for centuries. Each place evokes an ancient history, often linked to the passage and work of man. Sorinne-la-Longue is a village that stretches out like an ancient road, already frequented in Roman times. The Faya wood, whose name comes from the beech tree, offers a cool and calm atmosphere. Bethléem is a place steeped in symbolism, formerly associated with refuge and passage. At the Inzéfonds quarries, blue stone has left its mark on the local architecture and landscape. In the Gesves wood and the Chaumont valley, the forest becomes denser and more enveloping. The Samson stream structures the valley. Around it, the Bizonzon and neighbouring streams are home to a discreet and varied fauna. It is therefore a peaceful walk between water, stone and wood, ideal for slowing down and observing.

Easy, with only two small steep hills. 74% of the route is on paths. Outward journey through the woods, return journey mainly through fields. Picnic possible at km 15 at the Samson cheese dairy in Gesves (081 583 666), possibility to bring your own meal (provided you purchase a drink) or order a cheese and/or charcuterie platter. Along the way, you can discover some of the sculptures on the Gesves art trail.

This circular walk alternates between countryside and forest, starting from one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia and leading to the hamlet of Mont-Sainte-Marie and the remains of a Romanesque watchtower dating from the 11th-12th centuries, as well as the Gothic choir of a 16th-century parish church. On the way back, the route passes the farms of Basseilles and Bialy, as well as some works of art from the Fête de Mai festival.

Walk through woods and countryside around Arville Castle

This walk alternates between forests and countryside in the 'Fête de Mai' area of the Namur Condroz. The route allows you to discover some of the works of art created over time since the beginning of the 21st century. You can admire the works 'Mange-Bois', 'Cathédrale de Lumière', 'Je suis furieux', 'Parle Papote Chhhuuuuut', 'Cairn de Feu' and 'Serpon-Dragent'.

A lovely walk around the village of Mozet. Starting from the church, the first part of the route is along streets, then it alternates between fields and woods on a fairly easy route.

Marked walking route no. 9 with the red rectangle as a marker This walk takes you on a discovery of Thon-Samson, ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia. You start in Rue de Thon, which is home to many unmissable local heritage monuments: the former presbytery, the Thon castle farm and the Church of Saint-Remy.

Set off to explore the lower Samson.Starting from the Moulin de Villenval, the walk climbs past an old quarry towards Thon, then reaches the Château-Ferme de Thon through the countryside, passing by the place known as 'au Trou Perdu'.At the Notre-Dame de Bon Secours Chapel, the route turns towards Goyet: castle, Saint-Antoine centre and artwork at the bottom of the park.After a steep climb, the walk crosses the Bois Wiame before returning to the starting point.