The Bois Poncelet, starting from Hamois

Straddling the municipalities of Hamois and Havelange, the magnificent Bois de Porcheresse is mainly populated by deciduous trees that display their most beautiful colours in autumn. The hike alternates between country lanes and forest paths.

A hike through the Condroz countryside, in the “Pays des Tiges et des Chavées”, covering the municipalities of Hamois and Havelange, with a small section on the Sentiers d’Art (2 artworks) and on various PR® trails, local walks or Grande Randonnée de Pays (GRP® 575 “À travers le Condroz”) routes.Whilst the route from Hamois to Barvaux is mainly on footpaths, the return leg includes a few more tarmac sections, regularly interspersed with sections unsuitable for vehicles.The circular route starts from the car park of the Hamois Office de la Culture (OC) on Rue de la Boverie. Unless an event is announced, this car park is usually empty, or nearly so.

A route mainly on tarmac and hard surfaces (pavements, Ravel cycle path) based on walks of varying degrees of popularity, including aGR® route, along the Ravel cycle path and on streets of varying sizes in and around Hamois. A short stretch of footpath, which can be quite muddy in wet weather and impassable with a pushchair, adds variety to this route. An alternative route is suggested in the description, but this reduces the distance covered.

A route combining roads and trails in the Namur Condroz, confirming that the region is a ‘corrugated landscape’. The trails are beautiful and can be accessed with children and people with reduced mobility using a Joëlette. The start point is easily accessible, including by bus, during school terms (bus stop less than 50 m away). This route is a mix of various local walks, RAVeL routes and theGR® 575-576 "Through the Condroz".

Mohiville or Scoville? The school and the playground appear to be on the site of the former village of Mohiville, whilst the cemetery right next to it seems to belong to the former village of Scoville. Well, now that all these villages have merged into a single municipality, it doesn’t really matter.Starting from the ‘Les murmures du Bocq’ hall, the walk heads out into the countryside and the Hamois communal forest before crossing over to the Havelange countryside. Same trees, same paths, but perhaps a bit more mud between kilometres 4 and 9 than on the rest of the route… except near the Fond du Moulin farm, just before the ponds of the same name at the 13th kilometre and just after the source of the Bocq (off the route) in Scy.Don’t worry if the dog from the farm next to the starting point tags along for a few kilometres around its home. Covered in mud as you’d expect but full of life and attentive to the walkers, it makes for pleasant company.

Emptinal, a hamlet in the former municipality of Emptinne, is unique in that it was split in two during the municipal mergers of the late 1970s: one part became part of Ciney, the other of Hamois. The Sainte-Madeleine Chapel, listed as part of Wallonia’s historical heritage, is part of Ciney, whilst the street running past it belongs to Hamois.This lovely walk winds through the Condroz countryside of Ciney and Hamois, crossing the Bocq river several times and the route of the Bocq Railway between Spontin and Braibant on three occasions.A new artwork entitled *Tressage Absidale* was installed in 2024 on the Sentier d’Arts, just before Reuleau.The *Fourmis* artwork in Stée, on the other hand, is suffering the ravages of time.

A walk through the woods along quiet paths and country lanes. At the end of the route, enjoy the view of Skeuvre Castle (private), which inspired Franquin to create the Château de Champignac in the Spirou comic strip.

A lovely walk through woods, paths and quiet roads. Suitable for everyone, but there are a few muddy patches if it rains. Don’t forget to take a short detour at the end of the route to visit Skreuvre Castle, which inspired Franquin to create Champignac Castle in the Spirou comic strip.