Gouvy walks

Crossed by the Ourthe Orientale, Gouvy boasts magnificent landscapes to discover as you follow the river, with countryside and forests alternating between deciduous and coniferous trees. In autumn, it is of course the deciduous trees that leave the greatest impression!

Here we are in the Eastern Cantons. This region isn’t part of Wallonia, but I’ve included it in my ‘Parkin’son tour of Wallonia’ all the same. Through a succession of climbs, some of which are quite steep, as are the descents, we gradually make our way towards the highest altitudes in Belgium. Mainly via paths, tracks and back roads, we link up the various villages and small towns situated between Sterpigny and Rodt, namely Gouvy, Aldringen, Maldingen and Crombach.

From Gouvy to Vielsalm, skirting Courtil and Provèdroux, the route is quintessentially Ardennes and serene. It alternates between peaceful forest stretches and open countryside, with gently rolling hills. The terrain becomes more undulating as you approach Vielsalm. The walk through the hamlet of La Comté, followed by the climb over the next ridge with its magnificent views, is a real treat. This is followed by the typical descent towards Vielsalm, where you’ll find it all: schist, the Bonalfa forest, blueberry bushes… and the ‘macralles’ (witches)!

This is a reposing walk between the fields and along small rivers. Recommend for people who love the country and nature.

The route passes through the Ourthe Orientale nature reserve. Here, in particular, you can admire the typical flora and fauna.Steinbach is a charming Ardennes village with an agricultural heritage, featuring numerous farms and small farmhouses built of schist stone and roofed with slate (cherbins = local slate). Its historical past is evident in the presence of castle-like farms and enclosed farmsteads dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, which have been carefully restored.

You’ll cover almost 18 kilometres and will also come across two other very different types of boundary markers: two stone ones marking the former Belgian-Prussian border and two metal ones, still very much in use, between Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.The Eastern Ourthe, meanwhile, is not very prominent, but towards the end of the route you’ll walk alongside a beautiful nature reserve on the banks of its tributary, known as the Fooschtbaach in the Grand Duchy and the Pihon in Belgium.

Typical of the Ardennes, alternating between countryside (fields and pastures) and woodland (deciduous and coniferous), this circular walk through the valley and across the hills of the eastern Ourthe, to the east of Houffalize, is a wonderful experience to be enjoyed in all seasons.

As a resident of the pretty little village of Montleban, I’d like to suggest a route to my fellow walkers and/or joggers that consists of 90% wooded paths and 10% quiet, unpaved roads. Throughout the walk, you may be lucky enough to encounter a family of wild boars or deer.

Set off to explore the north of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and, in particular, Clervaux Abbey. Please note: this hike is not circular and is based on the concept of walks from station to station. We chose to leave our vehicle at the free P+R car park at Drauffelt station, from where the train takes hikers to Troisvierges free of charge (1 train per hour on track 1).

Starting from the viewpoint overlooking the village of Tarverneux, the route heads east at first, then north-east as far as the Sommerain stream.After crossing it, the route heads out into the countryside on the heights of Brisy. A long descent towards the Ourthe follows… here it is the river’s eastern branch; the western branch flows successively through the communes of Libramont-Chevigny, Sainte-Ode, Tenneville and Bertogne before joining the main river at the Nisramont dam. The long climb that follows reaches the outskirts of Cetturu before descending again towards the Tavigny Stream. The next highest point of the walk is at a place known as ‘Les Deux Hêtres’. From there, the route descends towards the Ourthe, passing the Blancs Bois picnic shelter and barbecue area. Near the confluence of the Eastern Ourthe and the Cowan Stream, a little further upstream along the latter, stands the Moulin de l’Ermitage, which gave its name to the locality known as l’Hermitage. All that remains is to head back up to the starting point.

Discover the landscapes and history of the people who shaped the Salm region. A lovely walk with very little road, mainly forest paths. Beautiful views at Bec du Corbeau, where history and nature come together on this walk.

Follow in the footsteps of fugitives and resistance fighters who used the forest paths, trails and little-used country roads along this route. A few information panels and, above all, the Kléngelbaach stream, a key point of passage between the two countries, await you along the way.

From Troisvierges station, set off to explore the Cinqfontaines convent, an iconic site of the Second World War in Luxembourg. Continue this pleasant circular route towards Maulesmillen, taking in the panoramic views of the Luxembourg countryside.

This walk takes you on a journey of discovery through the arkose and schist quarries of the Pays de Salm, the gold prospectors of La Rougerie, the Celts and their fortified settlement at the Celtic Camp, and the Quatre-Vents nature reserves.

The Bernistap Canal is a section of the canal that the Dutch had planned to build to link the Rhine to the Meuse via the Moselle and the Ourthe. Begun in 1827 during the reign of WilliamI, King of the Netherlands, work was suspended in 1830 during the Belgian revolution and finally abandoned when the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg gained independence. This canal has an underground section, the entrance to which on the Belgian side is still visible at km 1, if you are feeling adventurous. A few information panels are located along the canal between km 1 and km 2, as well as on the Luxembourg side (except for the section leading to the village of Hoffelt).

Wide forest paths and country roads take you to Farnières Castle and its chapel. Return via wide forest paths and finish along Vielsalm Lake.

This Ardennes walk stretches across the heights of the left bank of the Salm. Set mainly in woodland, it offers magnificent views of the region. Relatively far from road traffic, it is a walk that rejuvenates body and mind through its tranquillity and the fresh air that is ever-present. The charming village of Goronne, the tranquillity of the Domaine de Farnières and the hamlet of Bergeval are much-loved stops along the way.

La Salm Valley, known as Le Glain This stage ofthe GRP®571starts in Vielsalm in the Pays des Macralles, crosses the river at Salmchâteau and enters the Deux Ourthes Nature Park, heading towards the Ardennes plateau and Gouvy.

In the Grand-Bois forest in Vielsalm, starting from the Bêchefa clearing, the walk takes you through the Jardin sauvage and three arboretums. The two most recent are around thirty years old; the third, over a century old, is home to trees of impressive size. This walk largely follows a route marked in red by the forestry services. However, the marked route does not pass through the "Jardin sauvage".

A 12 km journey that can be done by mountain bike as well as on foot. The route passes through Commanster, a village nestled in the heart of the forest. This walk offers an opportunity to discover what ‘abissage’ is.

This ride takes you into Luxembourg. It starts in Hardigny, passing through Haut-Bellain in Luxembourg, as well as Huldange, Wilwerdange, Drinklange, Binsfeld, Troisvierges and Hachiville, before returning to Belgium to rejoin the RAVEL...