Maredsous… from one abbey to another

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A walk off the (all too) well-trodden paths of the Molignée Valley, allowing you toexplore the countryside and woodland around these jewels of Walloon heritage: the abbeys of Maredsous, Ermeton-sur-Biert and Maredret. Another rare gem in Wallonia is the chestnut forest between km 5 and 7, even though the chestnuts are really very small.

Details

n°75650132
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.93 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 935 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 928 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 928 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 574 ft
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Photos

Maredret Abbey

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 712 ft - Maredsous Abbey car park
  2. 1 : mi 1.02 - alt. 846 ft - Turn left at the fork in the road
  3. 2 : mi 2.55 - alt. 892 ft - N951 – Rue d’Anthée
  4. 3 : mi 3.87 - alt. 797 ft - Junction, turn right
  5. 4 : mi 4.46 - alt. 666 ft - Rue de la Molignée
  6. 5 : mi 4.71 - alt. 676 ft - Rue d’Anthée
  7. 6 : mi 5.2 - alt. 764 ft - Path on the right
  8. 7 : mi 6.27 - alt. 922 ft - Junction, take the path on the left
  9. 8 : mi 7.29 - alt. 741 ft - Maredret Abbey
  10. S/E : mi 7.93 - alt. 712 ft - Maredsous Abbey car park

Notes

Although the route starts on tarmac as far as the lovely farm below Maredsous Abbey, it only involves tarmac for the stretch through Ermeton-sur-Biert and at the end between Maredret Abbey and Maredsous Abbey: not really a problem!
Another point of interest: the bell towers of Maredret and Maredsous, and the Sept Meuses pylon, are almost perfectly aligned on the horizon.

(1) Ignore the ‘no entry’ signs at the start of the path… this path is public and is, in fact, part of an officially signposted route in the municipality of Ermeton-sur-Biert.  

There are no benches or picnic tables along this route: what a shame!
For children: a playground open to all next to the Maredsous Abbey café.

It’s best to visit outside weekends or other busy periods.

Tastings and light refreshments are available at the Maredsous Abbey shop.

Local and regional produce is available at the ‘Vachement Ferme’ farm shop, 2 Rue de Chesselet, 500 metres from the car park.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
User 29266421
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks for the suggestion; I was on a retreat in Maredret and it was just perfect for a lovely walk in the countryside. No significant mud despite three days of rain beforehand. I got a bit confused in Ermeton, around points 4 (go under the Ravel via a small, unmarked pedestrian tunnel) and 5 (take the steps to the right of the church and cross the main street).
Otherwise, lovely little paths through the woods, tracks across the fields with splendid views, lots of birds... even without sunshine or Molignée, it was a lovely walk, one to do again 😀

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User 10780744

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2025
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

No, definitely not. The landscapes west of Maredsous are nowhere near as enchanting as those along the Molignée between the Abbey and the Meuse. So, it was a bit of a let-down, but I should hasten to add that Visorando has got into the habit of spoiling us a little too much.

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Walking Sosoye Mountain Nature Reserve

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↔9.36 mi ↗+509 ft ↘-499 ft ◔4h 45 ▲Moderate
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