Musson walks

Gaume, this beautiful hilly region in southern Belgium, is known for its mild climate. However, I have no idea if the area is popular with hikers... There are hiking markers all along the route. It is possible that you will encounter few or no people.

This very natural route takes you on a journey of discovery through the wooded hills on the border between the Batte (Belgium) and Coulmy (France) valleys.Anyone with even a passing interest in the region's industrial history will also discover its mining and steel-making past, highlighted by the Transfrontier Iron Mines Trail and a number of information panels along the route.The trail passes by some of the iron mines that brought prosperity to the region in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the Musson slag heap, which over time collected all the slag from the mines on the Musson and Halanzy sides. Now cleaned up, it has been turned into a nature reserve managed by the DNF (Nature and Forestry Division).

A pleasant walk in Gaume, even in gloomy weather, through countryside and forests.The route begins by climbing up to the plateau overlooking Rachecourt before descending into the depths of the Batte valley.After the small reed pond, the route crosses the country ridge before descending to Battincourt, where the playground offers a few benches and a welcome picnic table.In Battincourt, the walk follows the marked "Les Sept Sources" trail in the opposite direction until just beyond the Battincourt ponds.On the way back, the route passes through a lovely arboretum!Please note that some sections, such as the Bois de Pertot, can be very muddy.

The mines, the mines of yesterday, the iron mines... this is the main theme of this hike.Fond-de-Gras is the most informative site on this subject: it was the station where narrow-gauge trains converged to unload iron ore into standard-gauge wagons bound for the steelworks and blast furnaces of Pétange, Differdange and others in Belgium and Germany.

Circular in the Anlier forest starting from Habay-la-Neuve, discovering the various ponds used for the forges.

Walk between France and Belgium from Orval Abbey to the small village of Williers on the French side. Hike along forest trails, guided by the murmur of a stream. Encounter a herd of Highland cows and, more unusually, observe traces of Gallo-Roman remains.

This magnificent walk takes you on a journey of discovery through the former mining sites operated by the A.R.B.E.D between Esch-sur-Alzette, Schifflange and Kayl. It is offered by the CFL (Luxembourg's railway company) as part of its Hike & Rail range of hiking trails from station to station and has been slightly modified by us at the start and finish.

We are on the Ardennes plateau, the terrain is not steep, and we can admire the beautiful Ardennes countryside. Basically, we are circling around the relay antenna used to broadcast television programmes. It is a haven of peace and tranquillity. We did it in ideal weather conditions, but you should expect the harsh, windy climate of the Ardennes, where we often have snow in winter.

The village of Chiny is renowned for its storytelling festival. Located on the border between the Ardennes and Gaume regions, Chiny is ideal for walking. Come and discover its magnificent views, nestled among the meanders of the Semois. Revised route

A walk starting from Warnack and passing through Strainchamps, Hotte, Bodange, Wisemback and Radelange. Part of the route is in Luxembourg. The walk is mainly on forest paths with little tarmac.

Set off to discover Luxembourg, its old town, its cobbled paths high up for changing panoramic views, cross a park surrounded by Vauban fortifications. Climb to the top of the Rock Bock and descend towards the old town.

Circular hike around Lake Haute-Sûre and Pont Misère. Between trails and viewpoints, a concentration of the best paths and trails with a more substantial distance.

Set off to explore Banibois, in the heart of the woods crossed by the stream of the same name. This walk will take you through hundred-year-old oak trees, majestic beech trees and spruce plantations. You will also enjoy vast meadows on the edge of the woods.

The great classic in Herbeumont. Circular starting from Herbeumont Castle (easy parking). Several passages along the Semois

This hike takes you on a journey of discovery through the rural and forested Ardennes east of Bertrix, completely off the beaten track. Apart from the surroundings of the Herbeumont slate quarry and a few crossings of main roads and the Bertrix-Athus railway line, used mainly for freight transport, it is completely peaceful and surrounded by nature. Don't miss the two castles in Biourge... go and admire them from the driveway of the first and through the porch of the second.

Passing by La Potale and the Chapel of Saint Barbara, patron saint of slate miners, set off to discover the remains of the Hermitage of Saint Bernard of Bertrix, starting from La Roche aux Corbeaux in Herbeumont. Along the way, look out for the various slate quarries known as La Côte de Champion, La Goutelle Husson and Linglé.

Starting from Michelau station (free parking, free access by train or bus from anywhere in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), the walk heads south, crosses the Sûre (a river similar to the Ourthe and Semois in Belgium) and climbs up the right bank, following its course along a forest path, a small country road and a slightly steep trail.

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.

This region of the southern Ardennes is particularly active in forestry: the small village of Jéhonville alone has two sawmills. The forest is omnipresent, even though the route crosses a few areas of pasture and crops. The hike is a free combination of sections of local walking trails, GR® trails, the "Between Lesse and Lomme" route that circles the municipality of Libin, and unmarked but publicly accessible paths. The route crosses a didactic route called "Sur les traces de 14-18" (In the footsteps of 14-18) and passes through the Vieille Rochette Nature Reserve. You may or may not like the unusual shape of the bell tower of the church in Jéhonville.

This path winds through the Schlindertal valley. A slight detour will take you to its memorial. The isolated Saint-Michel chapel is a remnant of an ancient village that is now uninhabited. The highlight of the hike is the Molberlee, an exposed slate ridge offering spectacular views of the valley.

Water is omnipresent in Norroy-le-Veneur: wash houses, Fontaine aux Chênes, Moulin aux Prés. The fortified church and Highland cows are also worth a detour.

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.