Havré Castle and the Bois du Rapois

The Castle of the Dukes of Havré, numerous paths through the gardens and meadows, as well as the walk around the Bois du Rapois, which is less frequented and wilder than the Bois d’Havré.

Details

11032522
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.89 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 259 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 266 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 322 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 128 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is at the car park opposite the castle.

(S/E) Walk around the castle in a clockwise direction.

(1) Turn left along the tennis courts. Cross a road and follow Rue du Moulin d’Havré, which continues as Rue Saint-Jean.

(2) At the end of this street, take the path on the right which leads onto Rue Barbet; follow this to the right for about a hundred metres.
Turn onto the path on the left which joins Rue Émile Jambe. Follow it to the left for about a hundred metres and take the path on the right. Walk alongside the old cemetery, now a small park, and arrive at Chaussée du Roeulx.

(3) Cross at the pedestrian crossing and follow the narrow lane which leads to Rue Irma Fiévez. Cross the road and continue along the path to the left of the school. Cross a road and enter the Bois du Rapoix.

(4) Continue along the path, which may be overgrown with brambles. Take the direct route if you prefer. You’ll have a clear view of the Roeulx lift and a few wind turbines.

(5) Continue left, along an easier path, until you reach a cobbled street with very little traffic.
Follow it to the right until you reach the fork at the edge of the woods.

(6) Take the path on the right through the woods; you’ll see the Terril de Beaulieu on your right. As you leave the woods, continue along Rue de la Casse until you reach a crossroads.

(7) Cross the road at the junction and take the path across the fields. Turn right then left to rejoin a road. Cross it and continue to the N538.

(8) Turn right, do not go under the “bridge”, and return to the car park, not far from Place d’Havré and its cafés (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 144 ft - Château de Havré
  2. 1 : mi 0.32 - alt. 141 ft - Tennis courts
  3. 2 : mi 0.71 - alt. 141 ft - Fork in the path
  4. 3 : mi 0.94 - alt. 174 ft - Fork in the path
  5. 4 : mi 1.28 - alt. 272 ft - Rapois Wood
  6. 5 : mi 1.8 - alt. 276 ft - Forest path
  7. 6 : mi 3.33 - alt. 213 ft - Return along the edge of the woodland
  8. 7 : mi 4.22 - alt. 200 ft - Crossroads
  9. 8 : mi 4.76 - alt. 138 ft - N538 road
  10. S/E : mi 4.89 - alt. 148 ft - Château de Havré

Notes

The woodland is often muddy, so wear waterproof walking shoes.
For a good hundred metres after entering the woods, there are quite a few brambles on the path, so it’s best to wear trousers rather than shorts in summer.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

3.5 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
2.9 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
christine-devreux
christine-devreux

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The woodland is not well maintained; a huge tree trunk has been blocking the path for the past six months. In places, the path is very muddy and impassable. This means you have to take a detour, leaving the path and braving the thick brambles.

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Ced.F.
Ced.F.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk combining the narrow streets of Havré and the Rapois woods. No difficult sections. Make sure you wear suitable footwear in case of rain

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raphernoux@hotmail.fr
raphernoux@hotmail.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk, combining narrow streets in the town centre with a much wilder section through the woods. The section through the woods was a bit tricky to follow at first, given the vegetation and the somewhat haphazard signposting. The final stretch, heading back towards the castle along narrow paths through the pastures, is absolutely charming! One to do again on a day when it’s not raining

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pierre gobin
pierre gobin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. My wife and I live in the area, and I’m familiar with the narrow streets of Havré and the Bois du Rapois, yet even so, I discovered some beautiful paths and trails. For my wife, it was a completely new experience. I took the liberty of making a few changes to the route and, if the author of the walk is willing, we could discuss them either by email or on the phone. The length of the ‘modified’ route is just over 10 km. Three small comments on the description.
At (2), the path is a bit difficult to find due to a house under construction that encroaches slightly onto the path.
At (3), the path running alongside the school is partially blocked by a hedge belonging to a house. It is still possible to get through, but if this situation worsens, it will no longer be possible to use the path, which would be a shame. The solution is to take a right-left turn at the end of the path, which leads to Rue Irma Fiévez and Rue de la Motte, and then, via another right-left turn, rejoin the path that enters the woods.
At (4) The IGN map is not very accurate; it shows a path and, a little further on
further into the woods, a path that does not exist. You must follow the path and, a few dozen metres further on, take the path that branches off to the right. Otherwise, you will reach a section made difficult by the presence of a wet area. Between (4 and 5) you mention a section obstructed by brambles. Is it located near a house, which is inaccessible, on the left of the path? If so, I have a solution to suggest. I do not share the criticisms made regarding the lack of interest in ‘…the urban section…’. These paths are part of Havré’s historical and economic heritage, and you have showcased them very well.
Nor do I agree with the complaints regarding the difficulty of following the route; it is true that some paths are sometimes harder to find, but in my view, that is part of the pleasure of discovery.
The Bois du Rapois, less well-known than the Bois d’Havré, is indeed less frequented and wilder; proof of this is our encounter with a doe on the walk. Walked in glorious sunshine, the woodland is magnificent. My wife has already asked me to ‘lead’ a small group of friends. I shall be delighted to do so. Thank you very much.

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kimouche
kimouche

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

From point 2 onwards, there is no further path; take the roads towards point 3

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randomiquinqua
randomiquinqua

Overall rating : 1.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I’m afraid I have to confirm that it’s difficult to follow the directions without getting lost and having to turn back…
The urban section is completely uninteresting; you might as well park at the end of Avenue du Bois and enjoy the avenue itself, which is actually quite wild and beautiful at this time of year. Fortunately, we’re bringing back some chestnuts

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david0711
david0711

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Unfortunately, this route isn’t explained very clearly. I’m usually quite good at following maps, but I got lost several times and gave up after 4 km. Luckily, I know this area well. It definitely needs a rethink.

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