Hasselt walks

Between Hasselt and the Demer valley lies a world of water and mist, shaped by floods and time. Herkenrode Abbey, founded in the 12th century, marks the starting point: a Cistercian stronghold, it recalls the ancient link between spirituality and nature.In Stokrooie, the landscape becomes wetter before reaching the Albert Canal, dug in the 20th century, a marriage between industry and ecology.The Wijvenheide nature reserve reveals its peaceful ponds, where herons, kingfishers and ospreys thrive. The Kleine Vijver, Witven and Grote Platwijer are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, between reed beds and floodplains.The Zonderikbeek and Vrankenschans meander through peat bogs and fields, witnesses to a time when the Demer shaped local life.The walk ends at the Bosvijver and the Vossen Kuil, where the silence of the water mingles with the breath of the wind.

This region, with its 1,001 ponds and numerous nature reserves, is full of beautiful trails for hikers. Here is one that takes you between the main Wijers ponds and the Albert Canal, which connects the Meuse and Scheldt rivers between Liège and the port of Antwerp.The ponds and the surrounding aquatic and rural landscapes are absolutely magnificent in good weather.

The Sint-Truiden region is renowned for its cherry (to a lesser extent), apple and pear orchards. The walk offers the chance to see them up close (very close). We particularly recommend it during the flowering season, usually in April. 

Welcome to the Demer valley, where water, reeds and meadows form a living landscape, shaped by time and floods. Around the village of Schulen, the Gulkerveld is reminiscent of the former floodplain, once feared, now a refuge for birds and botanists.With its 700 hectares, the Schulensbroek nature reserve is one of the largest wetlands in Flanders. Herons, greylag geese, lapwings and bitterns share the ponds and meadows.The Halbekerdijk, an old dyke, bears witness to the struggle against the waters, while the drier Vijversheide contrasts with its pine and birch trees. The Schulensmeer, created to regulate the floods of the Demer, has become a paradise for aquatic wildlife.Area: +700 ha, origin: floodplain, special features: artificial lake turned reserve, migratory birds, wetland flora.Here, the water tells the story of the landscape and the passage of time.

Schulen Lake and the adjacent marshes are part of the Wijers region , which is home to 1,001 ponds. It is a paradise not only for birds, but also for birdwatchers and walkers. Of course, bird populations vary depending on the season, but you will almost always see egrets, ducks, cormorants, coots, herons, geese and sometimes even the odd kingfisher. Goats and sheep are helping to rehabilitate some of the banks.

Pear, apple and cherry trees, as well as vines, strawberry plants and currant bushes, ensure the wealth and reputation of this part of Limburg's Hesbaye region for its fruit production. There are orchards galore to admire in spring when they are in bloom and later in the season when they are producing fruit.

Country walk starting from the provincial estate "Het Vinne".Ponds, rivers, orchards, pastures and crops for the hiker's enjoyment!There are a few observation points at the edge of the pond. 

The Keiheuvel walk is a spectacular stretch of sand reminiscent of the Sahara, with peaceful spots, fresh forest air and a sea of purple heather. After a few steps, a vast panorama of sandy plains, ponds and dune meadows lined with fragrant pine trees opens up. Despite their desert-like appearance, the dunes are full of life, home to larks, nightjars and a multitude of insects. After a detour along the canal to Beverlo, the walk reaches De Most. The low, wet valley contrasts with the high, dry Keiheuvel. The wetlands are home to rare plants and animals. De Most, a former hunting ground and resistance refuge, is now a haven of peace. The combination of these two environments makes Keiheuvel-De Most unique.

This walk explores some of the region's gems. The route passes successively by a mill on the Geer (Jeker in Dutch) with a wooden paddle wheel that is still fully functional, Neercanne Castle, the Cannerbos, a magnificent tree-lined avenue in the Milleniumbos, a few vineyards, the old Nekum mill (no longer with a wheel), the Maastricht Fort plateau with some beautiful views of the city, Huis de Torentjes, a curious cave/chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, the Zonneberg, the Slavantebos, the panoramic site of the former ENCI quarry, the Villa Castrum (admire the tuffeau stone used in its renovation) and, finally, the strange and extremely rare feature of the Geer, which passes under the Albert Canal via a siphon. All in all, this route offers a multitude of historical and educational points of interest for young and old alike.

A walk that takes you along the Geer and into the Haut Geer nature reserve. Walkers will enjoy the scents of the earth, the sound of flowing water, the colourful palette of freshly blooming flowers, the ballet of pollinating insects, the melodious song of birds and the rustling of leaves swaying in the gentle breeze as they pass through the nature reserve.

This is on the marked route "Lanaye (I2-4 Blue): Beyond the Banks - Montagne Saint-Pierre", but starting from the Quai de Caster car park instead of the church in Lanaye. Follow the blue diamond markings.

The centuries-old cultivation of countless cherry, pear and apple trees has earned Oupeye the title of Walloon Commune of Fruit Growing.Although the few hectares of vineyards are more recent, the wine produced in Heure-le-Romain is gradually improving in quality and regularly wins awards.

Roughly halfway between Leuven and Diest, south of Aarschot, Horst Castle stands proudly on the edge of its pond and wooded estate.This hike offers a long loop through woods and countryside around this vestige of the past.

In the mysterious area of the numerous springs of the Geer, encounter the ghosts of the Lord of Herzée in the Chevées, the nuns in the former Carmelite convent, the prior of the convent in his farmhouse, and let yourself be seduced by the quiet charm of the two Lens.

Departure from the Pêcherie du Fer à Cheval in Heure-le-Romain. There is a large car park available.Set off on this lovely walk of about 1 hour through fields and streams. It is fairly easy and mostly flat. Why not take your dog for a walk before coming to quench your thirst on our terrace by the water?

Set off on this lovely walk, between fields and streams, which is fairly easy and mostly flat, with a few small ascents and descents.Why not take your dog for a walk before coming to quench your thirst or enjoy a meal on our terrace by the water?

This circular walk takes you through the Antwerp Campine region, across countryside and pine and deciduous forests. It follows two historic canals, makes a slight detour into the Netherlands and, as its name suggests, takes you on a tour of Postel Abbey.

A walk combining town and more natural areas.

A peaceful walk, both rural and countryside, along the banks and immediate surroundings of the Mehaigne and its tributary, the Soile, between the villages of Avin and Meeffe, passing through Ambresin. The most pleasant section is undoubtedly the one that runs alongside the Mehaigne (known asthe"Sentier de la Mouhagne"), but the country lanes, lined with tall hedges that provide ideal shade along the route, also have their charm.

Enjoy the fresh air in the rolling countryside south of Jodoigne.Fields and crops await you.Things to see along the route: a few chapels, Dongelberg Castle (a kind of local coliseum that has suffered the ravages of time), a cross commemorating a former French military cemetery, in the distance the twisted bell tower of the Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Marché on the Grand-Place in Jodoigne, the pretty village of Jauchelette.

I invite you to discover the Blegny-Mine estate and the beautiful surrounding region by following bucolic paths and trails, some of which lead through the woods.

Pine, oak (local and American species) and birch forests, moors, crops, pastures, ponds... this is the natural scenery that awaits you on this hike.

A very beautiful walk on the outskirts of Liège, mainly through woods. It passes through the Streupas moor, joins the Ourthe and runs parallel to it as far as Colonster Castle, before returning through the Sart Tilman woods.

The feudal castle of Moha is one of the region's jewels. It is located at the top of a rocky spur on the heights of the Mehaigne, on the edge of the limestone quarries (both old and still in operation), and was apparently built in several phases between the 11th and 14th centuries. Archaeological excavations have revealed a much older presence.

A bucolic walk steeped in history, following in the footsteps of Marlborough.

This is a somewhat challenging hike through the woods on either side of the Fond d'Ohxe valley in the Saint-Lambert National Forest.Starting from the ruins of the Church of Notre-Dame in Ombret, the circuit skirts the hamlet of Les Communes before climbing into the woods, then descending shortly afterwards into the Fond d'Ohxe and climbing back up the other side through the Bois des Dames and Bourgogne woods. The return journey is again through the woods, on the opposite side, offering some beautiful views of the Meuse valley at the end of the walk.

This lovely circular walk starts from the Adeps centre in Sart Tilman and passes by Colonster Castle. This hike takes place mainly in the woods on small paths that are impassable with a pushchair.

A varied walk from the heights of the commune of Ombret, leading to the banks of the Meuse, which you can cross via the new cycle and footbridge at the Ampsin-Neuville lock and its facilities, including the original fish ladder. The return journey takes you through the Neuville-sous-Huy and Saint-Lambert national forest.

Loop through the woods of Sart-Timan, starting in Boncelles. It crosses the Sart-Tilman Golf Course and the university grounds.

A mixed urban (we are in the city after all) and rural treasure hunt, taking us along the RAVel, streets, country lanes and forest paths.

A gentle walk starting from the Ferrières mill. It crosses the Bois de Ferrières, passes by the Château le Temple farm and returns via Le Sokeu to the Bois de Ferrières and the mill.

Entirely on the right bank of the Ourthe, this hike will take you to the hamlets of Méry, Hautgné, Hayen and Cortil on the heights of Tilff, as well as the vast Bois des Manants forest, both on the way there and on the way back.

One of the most beautiful walks in Chaudfontaine. You will discover the calamine moors as you wind your way along the paths. Moderator's note s private property between (3) and (4), see notice dated 04/08/2022.

A green setting near the city of Liège. A walk with elevation changes on accessible paths, mainly in the woods.

Starting from the well-known long-distance hiking trail (signposted route to Santiago de Compostela), this route revisits the wonderful site of the circular Ourthe, passing by the old water pump towards the village of Ham. The idea behind this route is to limit the "concrete" sections to what is strictly necessary.

This walk starts at Le Fief, where you will find Saint-Hadelin Church and the nail tree. La Neuville, Le Fief, Le Rouau, Le Faweux, Belle-Maison, Riessonsart: all these places evoke legends and tragedies. The 17th- and 18th-century houses with their shrines, crosses and inscriptions bear witness to the richness of the local heritage. The Magne river flows lazily through the hamlet. Le Fief de Saint-Hadelin and the centre of Olne are among the most beautiful villages in Wallonia.

A peaceful nature walk in the countryside above the Ourthe, spread across the municipalities of Sprimont and Esneux.The few forest passages make for a pleasant outing with varied landscapes.

This walk starts at Croix Renard and takes you to Saint-Hadelin before heading up to the Olno radio guidance station and the beautiful village of Forêt. You will then pass through the Massouheid nature reserve before crossing the hamlet of Hansez. Admire the listed pond and the four old farms with their barns. Halfway along the route, there is a picnic area with a superb view.

We leave the Croix Renard and its magnificent 360° view behind us and head down to Saint-Hadelin, with its chapel and nail tree. A superb path, called the daffodil path, then takes us through the woods to the outskirts of the pretty village of Forêt. The path leads us close to Olno, a radio guidance station. From Forêt to Croix-Renard, we enjoy an exceptional view of the hamlets of Hansez and Gelivaux and the many crops dotting the landscape.

A magnificent walk through woods, fields and picturesque villages 

From the centre of Olne, one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, we descend towards the Ri de Rode before reaching the Rafhay bocage. This is a typical Pays-de-Herve landscape with its meadows, hedges, paths and a few characterful farms. Enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Saint-Hadelin, one of the most picturesque hamlets in the municipality. On a clear day, you can see the Botrange signal to the south-east and the Bronronne wind turbine due south. This path follows the purple rectangle markings (walk no. 1)

This walk takes us to Petit Vaux and the entrance to Nessonvaux, where we climb the Bois-d'Olne hill on its southern slope. From Bois-d'Olne to Grihanster, we walk along a magnificent ridge. From here, we can admire two very different landscapes. To the north, the Hazienne valley and the village of Olne, and to the south, the Vesdre valley and the first wooded foothills of the Ardennes.

After revisiting a dozen walks in their municipality, a few lovers of hiking and beautiful landscapes in Olne decided to set themselves a challenge: to mark out a walk on the outskirts of the area. This is how this tour of Olne came about, taking you over hill and dale to discover one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia.

Leave the village towards Vaux-sous-Olne. Walk towards the Hazienne valley and its wooded hillsides before climbing the Bois-d'Olne hill. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Hazienne, a secret stream also known as the Bola de Grand-Rechain in Soiron, with its capricious meanders and sometimes underground course. Let's head back up towards the village via Froidbermont, where the first castle of Olne was located.

A mainly woodland walk in the hills above the Vesdre between Nessonvaux, Banneux and Fraipont, offering walkers beautiful views of the valley, the village of Goffontaine and the hills of Olne to the north.

This hike starts at Nessonvaux station, a village on the banks of the Vesdre. It meanders along the edge of the Herve region and the Vesdre ridges, from paths with distant horizons to sunken trails hidden in the many small, steep-sided valleys. It winds its way through authentic villages such as Olne (one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia), hamlets and other isolated places steeped in history. This rural route winds its way through a region with a thousand paths and significant elevation changes. Its charm and tranquillity encourage you to return in all seasons and in all directions, except after heavy rain or periods of frost, ice or snow.Please note: this hike does not take place in the Condroz, but in the Pays de Herve (more precisely in the Vesdre valley).