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:
-
Activity: Walking -
Distance: 17.92 km -
Average duration: 6h 40 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
-
Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 540 m -
Descent: - 537 m -
-
Highest point: 377 m -
Lowest point: 192 m
-
Country:
Belgium
-
Area: Massif des Ardennes -
District:
Theux -
Start/End: N 50.507731° / E 5.826386° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 198 m - Level crossing at Les Digues.
- 1 : km 1.99 - alt. 293 m - Remarkable oak tree in front of the Staneu climb.
- 2 : km 2.61 - alt. 321 m - Viewpoint of the Staneu quarries.
- 3 : km 3.66 - alt. 370 m - Sequoia Michel Counotte
- 4 : km 3.86 - alt. 367 m - Remarkable oak tree known as the Virgin Oak.
- 5 : km 4.82 - alt. 267 m - Ru du Chawion state nature reserve
- 6 : km 7.14 - alt. 355 m - Balmoral Golf Course
- 7 : km 9.68 - alt. 309 m - Lake Warfaaz
- 8 : km 12.08 - alt. 317 m - Viewpoint at the Pirosson Quarry
- 9 : km 12.23 - alt. 320 m - Hesse Pavilion
- 10 : km 12.87 - alt. 306 m - Viewpoint of the Spa thermal baths
- 11 : km 13.87 - alt. 337 m - Pavillon des Aigles
- 12 : km 15.05 - alt. 351 m - Remarkable oak tree known as Tara
- 13 : km 15.78 - alt. 313 m - Remarkable beech tree known as the Chasseur
- S/E : km 17.92 - alt. 198 m - 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
On the heights of Theux
Visorando member 18.16 km
+454 m
-448 m
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".
Circular Étang de Chawion from Spa
Visorando member 8.26 km
+208 m
-205 m
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
Visorando member 
10.70 km
+202 m
-206 m
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.
The Ru du Grand Chawion
Visorando member 
11.77 km
+236 m
-232 m
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
Visorando member 20.75 km
+413 m
-419 m
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.
Between Remouchamps and La Reid, off the beaten track
Visorando member 
18.52 km
+437 m
-437 m
6h 30
Moderate
Departure from Aywaille (Province de Liège)
Like the Porallée, this circular hike is located between the villages of Remouchamps and La Reid. Sometimes in the heart of forests, often along cascading streams or among high marshes, this circular hike is full of peaceful places. It offers remarkable panoramic views, connected by sometimes very old paths, passing through Vieux Chera, Hautregard and Ménobu.
Domaine des Bruyères and Hobdomont circular route
Visorando member 10.88 km
+206 m
-199 m
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Sprimont (Province de Liège)
Starting from the Sanctuary of Banneux, this is a real nature trail, albeit hilly, well ventilated, very pretty and varied. Woods, pretty meadows, open fir forests, breathtaking views: it has it all. The route passes through old firebreaks in the last part from Hobdomont: good walking boots are recommended.
Loop around Creppe from Bérinzenne
Visorando member 
17.69 km
+343 m
-345 m
6h 00
Moderate
Departure from Spa (Province de Liège)
Starting from the car park at Domaine de Bérinzenne, the hike begins by crossing the site before gradually entering the forest for just over a third of its total distance. This is followed by a few kilometres of countryside around the village of Creppe before rejoining the forest at the bottom of the Bois de Mambaye. After passing the castle of the same name, which has been converted into a nature education centre, the route quickly joins the Meyerbeer stream and follows it upstream to the Fontaine de Géronstère, one of the many springs in the spa town. Food and refreshments are available on site. Return through the forest and uphill to the starting point.
For more walks, use our search engine .
The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.
