While the main objective of the walk is the arbour, the other 20 kilometres take place in a rural and forest setting, with just the right amount of hills.
Also worth discovering: the Vecquée or Vèquée, an ancient Gallic, then Roman and finally medieval road linking the City of the Prince-Bishops and Stavelot Abbey, which runs along the Porallée between Vert-Buisson and Baraque Michel, approximately between kilometres 10 and 15 of this route.
La Charmille du Haut-Marais
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.
Details
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 12.89 mi -
Average duration: 7h 05 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 1,355 ft -
Descent: - 1,375 ft -
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Highest point: 1,742 ft -
Lowest point: 837 ft
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Country:
Belgium
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Area: Massif des Ardennes -
City:
Theux -
Start/End: N 50.488603° / E 5.790755° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 951 ft - La Reid
- 1 : mi 7.85 - alt. 1,365 ft - Northern end of the Vecquée
- 2 : mi 8.45 - alt. 1,368 ft - Southern end of the Charmille du Haut-Marais - La charmille du haut Marêt
- 3 : mi 8.81 - alt. 1,332 ft - Northern end of the Charmille du Haut-Marais - La charmille du haut Marêt
- S/E : mi 12.89 - alt. 951 ft
Other walks in the area
Between Remouchamps and La Reid, off the beaten track
Visorando Member
11.51 mi
+1,434 ft
-1,434 ft
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.
Wooded hills between Theux and Spa.
11.13 mi
+1,772 ft
-1,762 ft
6h 40
Moderate
Departure from Theux (Province de Liège)
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.
The Ninglinspo and the Charmille du Haut-Marais
5.55 mi
+873 ft
-866 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Aywaille (Province de Liège)
The Ninglinspo is that Walloon stream described by some tourist organisations as ‘mountainous’ and which all Belgians and Dutch people rush to come and admire. So, yes, certainly, it is picturesque and as wild as you could wish for, with footbridges, waterfalls and glacial potholes known as the Baths of the Naiads, Diana, Hermes, the Otter, the Stag, etc... but frankly, there is nothing mountainous about it.Above all, go for a walk there during the week, as weekends, public holidays and school holidays are best avoided if you appreciate peace and nature.The second main point of interest is the arbour planted in themid-19th century on the edge of his Haut-Marais estate. Despite being partially destroyed—by more than 40%—after German tanks passed through in 1940, it remains the longest in Europe, still stretching for 573 metres.
From Ninglinspo to Chefna
10.41 mi
+2,067 ft
-2,057 ft
6h 35
Moderate
Departure from Aywaille (Province de Liège)
A tributary of the Amblève and 3.5 km long, with an average gradient of 7.5%, the Ninglinspo is one of the few torrents in Belgium. Come and discover this valley, which was coveted by gold prospectors in the last century, and walk in a landscape worthy of the highest mountain rivers. With its waterfalls and "baths", the Ninglinspo will offer you an unforgettable moment of relaxation. As for the Chefna, less popular with tourists, it will take you away from it all with its wild side.
From Chefna to Ninglinspo
10.53 mi
+1,893 ft
-1,883 ft
6h 30
Moderate
Departure from Aywaille (Province de Liège)
The Valley of Legends via Chefna and Ninglinspo. Between legend and torrent.Ideal for dogs, with plenty of water sources, rivers and streams.
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.
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