Libin walks

Circular route in the Ardennes forest in the Libin region, combining forest paths, trails and quiet country roads for the last two kilometres. Set off to discover the Devil's Stone, the Haute Lesse, the Pont de la Justice and Notre-Dame de Taillevent.

A wooded walk through the Grande Forêt de Saint-Hubert, amongst rivers and streams. The route takes you on a journey of discovery to the source of the Lesse, the old truffle grounds of Libin and its former kaolin quarry. Explore the valleys of this magnificent region at your own pace.

This first section runs along the western and southern boundaries of the municipality of Libin. Discover the Anloy military cemetery and the First World War memorial steles in Ochamps. Pass close to the Source de la Lesse and finish at the Bané campsite.

An eight-shaped route to the legendary site of Rocher du Cuy, also known as Roche aux Nutons, and the Villance forest. Nutons are creatures from Belgian and Ardennes folklore, often described as small, skilful beings living in caves and near waterways.

Set entirely within woodland, apart from a stretch of about 500 metres after the first crossing of the N40, this walk alternates between tracks, paths, areas of deciduous trees, areas of conifers, clear-cut areas, tall trees, small trees, grassy areas and other undergrowth, making for a very pleasant route where monotony never sets in.The first real point of interest you’ll come across is the old Arfaye quarry, where kaolin was once mined. It’s not the only one in the region: there’s another one along the road between Libin and Smuid. The Roche de Colanhé is worth a mention and a brief stop, as this type of rock is rare in this part of the Lomme basin. ‘Troufferie’ means ‘peat bog’ in Walloon. The entire area to the east of the route forms a landscape of peat bogs, mudflats and heathland, which is rather rare in this part of the Ardennes. The peat bogs are no longer worked, but some peaty areas are currently being restored.

A forest route from Maissin, an Ardennes village situated on a bend in the Haute Lesse, to the outskirts of Redu, passing through the village of Lesse.

In the Centre Ardenne region, explore the forest paths of the Bois de Chamont, the farm tracks of Transinne, the Pont de la Justice, the Roche des Nutons, LandArt and much more...

Maissin, a village forming part of the very new Southern Ardennes Nature Park, was the scene of a bloody battle between the German and French armies on 22 and 23 August 1914. It was the only engagement won by the French in Belgium. Starting from the Pierre Massé military cemetery, discover the sites of the old, original cemeteries, as well as La Mambore and its llamas, the Pont de la Justice, the Roche des Nutons and the Pont Marie-Thérèse.

Troufferies: a Walloon word meaning peat bogs, i.e. a place where peat is extracted. Peat was extracted in Libin from the Middle Ages until the 1930s. Come and stroll through a forest landscape of marshes, peat bogs, mud flats and moors... unusual in this part of the Ardennes.

From the village of Smuid (pronounced Smoui), discover the Étang des Moines and the remains of the Marsolle blast furnace.

Starting from the hamlet of Lesse, the walk begins by following the river of the same name upstream on the left bank, crosses it at the Moulin de Molhan and then heads along the right bank towards Villance.Shortly after the 4-kilometre mark, the route branches off due south towards the Pont de la Justice before reaching the centre of Maissin. On leaving Maissin, the walk heads out into the countryside before entering the forest and descending gently towards the Our, which you follow almost to its confluence with the Lesse. No difficulties apart from a bit of mud here and there.

Set off on a walk themed around water and the forest from the hamlet of Lesse.The two main rivers in the region are the Our and the Lesse, which converge less than 2 km from the starting point.

A lovely walk of nearly 11 km, mostly along the banks of the Lesse and through the woods. Start from the centre of Redu near the tavern. There you’ll find a small beach (1) where you can have a picnic or dip your toes in the water. The route is fairly easy, although there are a few short climbs, but nothing too difficult. I simply crossed the Lesse at (5) about 750 m from the Pont du Sanglier (4) – the water was 30 cm deep – to follow the riverbank in the opposite direction; otherwise, you can turn around and retrace your steps to rejoin the route at the Pont du Sanglier. And to finish off, enjoy a drink on the terrace at the tavern at the starting point.

Discover the wild Haute Lesse from Redu, passing through La Roche aux Chevaux and the Notre-Dame de Walcourt chapel in the village of Lesse.

This second section runs along the eastern boundary of the municipality of Libin. After a night at the Bané campsite, explore the Anciennes Troufferies Nature Reserve and the Noire Eau valley as it joins the Lomme, before finishing at the former kaolin quarry in Libin.