L'Almache and the Belvédère

This hike is a shorter version, developed by us, of the circular of the Almache (marked with a blue rectangle n°2) proposed by the Wellin Tourist Office in its 'Par Monts et par Vau(l)x' hiking programme. A well-deserved name!

(S/E) Starting from the car park of the old local railway station near the Moulin de Daverdisse, the route begins by following the course of the Almache river and then turns off to climb the hill towards Fays-Famenne, passing close to the Pont de Fays (over the Almache) (1) and the Pont des Salins (over the Salins stream) (2).
Although entirely forest, the route offers panoramic and rural landscapes for a good kilometre near Fays-Famenne.

(2) At Pont des Salins, the route leaves the blue rectangle markings (no. 2) and makes a 180° turn, following the path on the other bank of the Salins stream. Continue along this path until you reach the edge of the woods, a barn and a house.

(3) Take the path that turns right just before the house. It offers some beautiful views of the countryside towards Fays-Famenne and, in the distance, towards Sohier and Lomprez.
NB: you can reach the village of Fays-Famenne by continuing straight on at point (3).

(4) Renauchamps locality.

(5) Shortly after crossing the road, leave the blue markings n° 2 and take a path that descends to the left and then makes a first turn left then right at the bottom of the slope. You are now in wild boar paradise.

(6) You will find blue marker no. 2 again, which you should follow blindly until you reach (7). Be careful: it's quite a climb.

(7) Shortly after the hamlet of Chassepierre and its viewpoint, the route leaves the blue markings n°2 again and turns right onto a narrow path surrounded by broom. Follow this path to the end and go around the enclosure on the right until you find the blue markings n°2 again.

(8) Climb up to the Belvédère (9), where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Lesse valley and the countryside on the opposite bank.
Picnic table.

(9) Retrace your steps and follow the blue markings no. 2 to the finish (S/E).

(10) Viewpoint at Wéri

(11) On the banks of the Lesse

Follow the GPX route on the Visorando app or the blue rectangular markings with the number 2.
Please note: the hike does not follow the marked route between (2) and (3), between (5) and (6) or between (7) and (8).

Picnic table at Belvédère (9).

The paths and trails are muddy in places, and the leaves on the ground often hide stones, branches, roots and standing water.

Our watches showed a slightly higher mileage than that of the mapped route: winding paths and trails on the ground and straight lines on the map are one reason. The continuous zigzags necessary to avoid water and mud are probably another.
The elevation gain was 632 metres, about 90 metres higher than that automatically calculated and displayed by Visorando.
The descent between (10) and (11) is quite difficult: steep slopes, leaves, roots and rocks require a lot of concentration. Fortunately, the wire mesh along the path allows you to hold on in the most difficult places.
These three reasons combined led me to describe this hike as "difficult".