Les Hauts de Froidmont, starting from Houtain-Saint-Siméon

Car park on Rue de la Station, Houtain-Saint-Siméon.

(S/E) From the car park, head to the other end of Rue de la Station, cross Rue du Sartay and take the tarmac footpath lined with trees opposite.

(1) At the first junction (a place known as Al Tombe / Aux Buissons), take the dirt track on the left and follow it for two kilometres. This track crosses fields above the village of Heure-le-Romain, which lies nestled in the valley, and runs alongside quarries and low-stem orchards. Cross the tarmac road and ignore the first junction of dirt tracks, as well as the second one marked by a cross (Croix d’Amry).

(2) 100 metres past the cross (large oak tree, orchard), take the grassy path on the left which descends to the Trou d’Enfer (signpost a little further down) and runs alongside an old quarry.

(3). Once at the bottom, take the concrete path to the left and join the main road.

(4) Cross the main road (watch out for traffic!) by first turning left then right, and head straight up the hill.

(5) Halfway up the slope, there’s a lovely view of a former quarry that has been fully replanted and is now a protected area. At the top, take the concrete path to the left, then the tarmac road, and pass through the hamlet of Les Hauts de Froidmont.

(6) When you reach the covered picnic area, keep to the dirt track on the right, which leads through the fields. Ignore the first track on the right and turn right at the next junction. After one kilometre, two other dirt tracks join this path from the left and it becomes tarmacked. Continue along this path, which soon begins to descend towards the bottom of the valley and starts to wind its way down.

(7) Before the bridge over the railway line, turn right onto a wide dirt track leading to a quarry. Follow it to the entrance of the quarry and continue along the dirt track to the left before the gates. Ignore the track branching off to the left (signpost) and begin the descent towards the Geer valley.

(8) At the bottom of the track, turn right onto a rough road (Chemin du Cherra), then left, 100 metres further on, onto a grassy track running between two pastures. At the bottom, turn left towards the main road. Cross the road diagonally to go round the farm on the left, keeping to the right just below the main road. The path runs between the pastures, crosses a small stream and reaches a junction, where you first turn left then right to continue in the same direction.

(9) At the end of the path (bench), turn left onto the concrete footpath and follow it between the meadows to the village of Wonck. Once in the village, continue straight on along Rue Champs des Course and, at the junction, continue straight on into Rue du Ruisseau (slightly to the right). At the end of the street, keep to the right and take the path leading to the Geer after crossing a small stream.

(10) Before reaching the Geer, take the path on the left which runs between the river and the pastures. The path soon veers away from the Geer to run alongside the other small stream. Continue until you reach the tarmac road and turn sharply left into Rue des Platanes. Cross the main road and head towards the railway bridge.

(11) A few metres past the bridge under the railway line and before the first house, take the path on the right which goes round this house and begins to follow the railway line below it through woodland. Follow it for a good kilometre.

(12) The path leads out onto a circular section of a tarmac road (Rue du Thier Collard). Walk down this road, turn right at the bottom and rejoin the main road near the railway bridge.

(13) Cross the road, making a slight first turn left then right, and head straight on along the track running alongside the railway line. After 400 m, keep to the left to take the small parallel path (signposted). The path soon overlooks the railway tracks and comes out onto a tarmac road near a house.

(14) Turn left onto the tarmac road and head up through the fields (Chavée d’Arecht).

(15) When you reach the junction (Arbre Patrotê), turn left onto the concrete path and follow it (it bends to the right after 50 m) to the village and the car park on Rue de la Station in Houtain-Saint-Siméon (S/E).

- Al Tombe (1): picnic table.
- Trou d’Enfer (3): picnic table.
- Hauts de Froidmont (6): covered picnic and barbecue area, water, toilets (bookings can be made with the Oupeye local council).
- L'Abreuvoir, Houtain-Saint-Siméon (S/E): light refreshments.

The route runs alongside or through several nature reserves managed by the Natagora Association, Liège & Basse-Meuse regional section (https://liege.natagora.be)