The Spa Beaver Trail

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.

Details

2042136
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.70 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 202 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 206 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 357 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 243 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from Spa station.

(S/E) Head towards Rue de Beaurieux. Cross the N62. Turn right. Cross to the left of the Villa Royale (Museum).

(1) At the park exit, turn left onto Rue Hanster, then left again onto Promenade des Français. Turn right onto a path and right again at the fork, following the extratrail signs.

(2) At the T-junction, turn right.

(3) At the next junction, continue straight ahead.

(4) At the sign prohibiting motorcycles and cars, continue left. Ignore the paths on the right.

(5) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. At the fork immediately ahead, turn left, heading north. Cross the Petit Chawion stream and turn right at the crossroads.

(6) At the crossroads, turn left onto Avenue de l'Hippodrome. After the golf course, when the road turns right, leave it and continue straight ahead on a dirt track that goes downhill. Ford the Grand-Chawion stream.

(7) Immediately afterwards, turn left. Follow the river on your left and ignore all turnings on the right.

(8) After about 2.7 km, turn left towards the pond.

(9) Go around the Étang de Chawion on the right and continue south-east.

(10) Turn right before a stream.

(11) At the crossroads, turn left.

(3) At a junction you took on the way there, turn right.

(2) After about 200 metres, at an intersection, continue straight ahead. After about 205 metres, take a path on the left that descends steeply. Join the path you took on the way there and follow it to the right. After about 50 metres, turn left onto the Promenade des Français. At the next intersection, turn right.

(1) Go straight ahead and then turn right. After about 100 metres, turn left. Then follow the N62 to the right for about 150 metres. Cross to the right and you will reach Spa station (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 252 m - Spa station
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 249 m - Park entrance/exit
  3. 2 : km 1.33 - alt. 344 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 1.51 - alt. 348 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 1.82 - alt. 350 m - Sign prohibiting motorcycles and cars.
  6. 5 : km 2.41 - alt. 325 m - Crossing Avenue Princesse Clémentine
  7. 6 : km 3.68 - alt. 348 m - Crossroads
  8. 7 : km 4.66 - alt. 310 m - After crossing the Grand-Chawion ford
  9. 8 : km 7.31 - alt. 259 m - Intersection
  10. 9 : km 7.59 - alt. 266 m - Chawion Pond
  11. 10 : km 8.29 - alt. 284 m - Intersection before a stream
  12. 11 : km 8.78 - alt. 330 m - Crossroads
  13. S/E : km 10.7 - alt. 251 m - Spa station

Notes

In winter, gaiters are recommended as some areas may be muddy.

(9) Chawion Pond, there is a bench and a small shelter

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
ombrageux
ombrageux

To see beavers, you have to come very early in the morning and be quiet.

There are ducks, herons and many other species that are worth taking the time to discover.

Thank you for your comments.

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dominicmarchal
dominicmarchal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, often through woods and close to streams.
Good to do again during a heatwave!
Thanks to the author.

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Fauvette
Fauvette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent solo hike in a "green hollow where a river sings", "a little valley sparkling with rays of light" (RIMBAUD, Le dormeur du val). The route is so enchanting that I plan to do it again, now that I've pretty much memorised it. I didn't see any beavers, but I think I heard ducks quacking. The elevation changes didn't seem too bad, and the effort is definitely worth it.
Well done and thank you to Ombrageux.

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jacobs daniel
jacobs daniel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Matvano
Matvano
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We sometimes had a little trouble finding our way with the directions and map we had, but in the end we managed to find our way. It is a very beautiful hiking route, especially the part where you walk along the river and can see all the dams built by beavers. A magnificent walk, definitely recommended for all nature lovers.

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ombrageux
ombrageux

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, at Spa, it is difficult to avoid a steep incline at the start.

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Ursus spelaeus
Ursus spelaeus

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike is surprisingly steep, but otherwise it is a very pleasant walk.

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La Damoise
La Damoise

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, I didn't find the written directions very clear. Fortunately, we met someone who guided us, otherwise we would have gone in the opposite direction...
Otherwise, it was a lovely walk!

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ombrageux
ombrageux

Good evening,

Thank you for your comments, it makes me want to try other routes.

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papy claude
papy claude

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb hike in warm weather, but sheltered from the sun for almost the entire route. Impressive work by the beavers, revealing the territory they have claimed with the formation of small ponds. This route is well worth the detour. An interesting stop at the Chawion pond, an ideal spot for a snack. Worth repeating.

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