Uphill, downhill, uphill, downhill... that's the programme for this rather challenging route, even if the slopes are fairly easy to manage in the end. It should be noted that a large part of the paths and trails used are on trail routes.
As the winding nature of some of the paths is not shown on the map, you should add about 1 km to your odometer at the end of the circular route.
And also about 100 metres more elevation gain than automatically calculated by Visorando!
Wooded hills between Theux and Spa.
This beautiful circular forest loop covers some of the countless paths and trails between Theux and Spa. It runs alongside the beautiful Balmoral golf course (Royal Golf Club des Fagnes for purists) and Lake Warfaaz, and offers two lovely views of the spa town of Spa.
In terms of nature: lots of deciduous trees, a few areas of pine and spruce, all sufficiently airy so that you don't feel oppressed by overly dense forest. There are many remarkable trees along the route: a few oaks, a beech and a sequoia.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 11.13 mi -
Average duration: 6h 40 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 1,772 ft -
Descent: - 1,762 ft -
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Highest point: 1,237 ft -
Lowest point: 630 ft
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Country:
Belgium
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Area: Massif des Ardennes -
City:
Theux -
Start/End: N 50.507731° / E 5.826386° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 650 ft - Level crossing at Les Digues.
- 1 : mi 1.24 - alt. 961 ft - Remarkable oak tree in front of the Staneu climb.
- 2 : mi 1.62 - alt. 1,053 ft - Viewpoint of the Staneu quarries.
- 3 : mi 2.28 - alt. 1,214 ft - Sequoia Michel Counotte
- 4 : mi 2.4 - alt. 1,204 ft - Remarkable oak tree known as the Virgin Oak.
- 5 : mi 3 - alt. 876 ft - Ru du Chawion state nature reserve
- 6 : mi 4.44 - alt. 1,165 ft - Balmoral Golf Course
- 7 : mi 6.01 - alt. 1,014 ft - Lake Warfaaz
- 8 : mi 7.5 - alt. 1,040 ft - Viewpoint at the Pirosson Quarry
- 9 : mi 7.6 - alt. 1,050 ft - Hesse Pavilion
- 10 : mi 8 - alt. 1,004 ft - Viewpoint of the Spa thermal baths
- 11 : mi 8.62 - alt. 1,106 ft - Pavillon des Aigles
- 12 : mi 9.35 - alt. 1,152 ft - Remarkable oak tree known as Tara
- 13 : mi 9.81 - alt. 1,027 ft - Remarkable beech tree known as the Chasseur
- S/E : mi 11.13 - alt. 650 ft - Level crossing at Les Digues.
Notes
A few parking spaces at the starting point next to the level crossing or along the path on the other side of the level crossing.
No shops along the route except for the golf club bar/restaurant.
There are plenty of benches and a few picnic tables along the route, more in Spa than in Theux.
Worth a visit
In Marché (Theux): the medieval castle of Franchimont.
The spa town of Spa, its thermal baths and funicular railway.
Other walks in the area
Around Theux, from Franchimont to Oneux via Le Thier du Gibet
Visorando Member
7.48 mi
+738 ft
-728 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Theux (Province de Liège)
Discover Franchimont Castle, the village of Oneux and the town centre of Theux via country lanes and urban paths.
On the heights of Theux
11.28 mi
+1,490 ft
-1,470 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Theux (Province de Liège)
Starting from the ruins of Franchimont Castle, discover Theux and its surroundings, including some remarkable trees, including an impressive sequoia, the Ru de Chawion Nature Reserve, the hamlets of Sassor and Sasserotte, passages along the Wayai and Hoëgne rivers, some beautiful panoramic views, long stretches through the magnificent Bois de Staneux and a " work dedicated to crayfish".
From Spa to Franchimont (circular route)
13.18 mi
+1,923 ft
-1,939 ft
7h 45
Moderate
Departure from Spa (Province de Liège)
Starting from Spa railway station, you’ll take paths through the Staneux woods and the Lonhue woods, following the Grand-Chaxion and its beaver dams. Further on, you will see the Chène-de-Poleuhe and then the 11th-century Franchimont Castle. On your way back towards Spa, there is another remarkable tree, the Chène-de-la-Vierge, and you can then stop for a short break by the Chawion pond before returning to the station.
Circular Étang de Chawion from Spa
5.13 mi
+682 ft
-673 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from Spa (Province de Liège)
Starting from Spa station, we will make a circular tour through the Bois de Staneu, go to the Étang de Chawion and then return via Spaloumont.
The Spa Beaver Trail
6.65 mi
+663 ft
-676 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Spa (Province de Liège)
Starting from Spa, a walk in the woods of Staneux will take you along the little Chawion, where you can see several beaver dams. Further on, the Chawion pond is a good place to take a short break.
Circular route to Spa via the Col des Maquisards and Winamplanche
12.41 mi
+1,755 ft
-1,729 ft
7h 15
Difficult
Departure from Spa (Province de Liège)
Starting from Spa station, we will pass through the Queen’s House park, climb up to the heights of Marteau with a stop at the Renard viewpoint, then descend towards the village of Marteau.
We’ll climb through the cool Rohaimont woods to the Col des Maquisards, where there’s a memorial stone in their honour.
We will pass through Gros-Thier to cross Winamplache, climb up to the edge of Creppe and return towards Spa via the Mambaye woods
The Ru du Grand Chawion
7.31 mi
+774 ft
-761 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Spa (Province de Liège)
The Ru du Grand Chawion is a very pleasant stream that flows north of Spa and is worth following upstream to its wildest parts. The return journey takes you through the beautiful woods of Staneux and a section ofthe GR®5.
La Charmille du Haut-Marais
12.89 mi
+1,355 ft
-1,375 ft
7h 05
Moderate
Departure from Theux (Province de Liège)
The Charmille du Haut-Marais, dating from the 19th century, is now listed by the Royal Commission for Monuments and Sites.The arbour was built in 1855 by J.R. Nys, a rentier and owner of the estate. It is 573 metres long and consists of around 4,500 hornbeams planted on either side of a pedestrian walkway carved into a tunnel of vegetation, which was very popular at the time.
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