Nivelles walks

A route where every step reveals a fragment of history. At Les Onze Bonniers, the mist floats like a memory. The streams of Pont à Mousson and Les Corbeaux whisper their legends — it is said that crows guided travellers. In the Bois de l'Hôpital, du Planti and d'en Bas, you will find elusive chamois, ancient herbs and secret springs. The Brussels–Charleroi canal unfurls its memories of barges and towpaths. La Gratière, La Thines and Hiernoulet offer golden light and dragonflies. There are also the Fermes de la Barette, de l'Abbaye and du Seigneur, guardians of the fields. At the Caverne du Philosophe, silence becomes history. Villages such as Ronquières, Chenu and Bornival are as gentle as an old book.A hike that whispers its secrets.

An easy walk through the pretty region of Arquennes, along paths, country lanes, woodland edges and the Ravel cycle route, returning along the Charleroi/Brussels canal. The route is almost entirely car-free.

This region is criss-crossed by canals, some very modern ones having replaced the old canals, a section of which we follow on this easy walk that takes us past some of the locks dotting the route.The locks that can be seen during this walk have been out of use since 1958. Since then, the lock gates have been removed and artificial waterfalls have been created on the downstream side. And this is the result that can be seen today.

Hike around the Rosseignies stream, at the top of a Senne watershed. Wide variety of surfaces and landscapes.

Starting from the heights of Ittre, a short footpath followed by a stretch of road leads to the first panoramic view, stretching all the way to the tower of the Ronquières inclined plane on the Brussels–Charleroi Canal. Your journey will take you as far as this canal, taking in a succession of other panoramic views, each as beautiful as the last, before descending to join the Ravel cycle route along the water’s edge. The climb back up takes you through the fields, always with the Ronquières Tower in view. After bidding it farewell, there’s a short break on the plateau and another panoramic view of the route you took on the way there, before you descend into the Ri de Fauquez valley, from where you climb back up to rejoin the original route. The icing on the cake is that you might just be greeted by a llama in a meadow...

An easy route around the villages of Obaix and Buzet, passing by a few farms typical of the region.

This easy walk follows the Canal du Centre and the old canal for the most part, before crossing the countryside to reach the top of the Ronquières inclined plane, which is used to transfer boats. This ‘lift’ overcomes a 68-metre difference in height over a distance of 1,432 metres.

A circular route almost entirely through the countryside, starting from the centre of Ittre and ending at the Château de la Tournette golf course. Along the way, the Ravel cycle path runs alongside the Ri Ternel river, taking in the sweeping agricultural landscapes on the heights of Haut-Ittre – with, among other things, its beautiful hedgerows allowing nature to flourish – and crossing the golf course, all in an atmosphere of calm and serenity.

In the heart of Walloon Brabant, Ittre reveals a landscape of deep forests and secret valleys. The Bois des Frères, Bois du Bailli and Bois du Chapitre offer a refuge for wildlife. Le Bilot and La Baraque l'Hermitage combine ancient stones and peaceful clearings.Around Braine-le-Château, the heritage tells the story: medieval castle, Ferme Sainte-Croix and villages with evocative names such as Derrière les Monts or Le Cheval Blanc. Local legends still tell of white horses crossing the woods at dusk.The paths wind between hills and meadows, on sandy and clay soils. Heather, holly and oak trees make up a typical Brabant landscape. Mixed forests, wet meadows, orchids, ferns, deer and rare birds punctuate the walk. Between nature, history and legends, Ittre invites you to immerse yourself peacefully in the memory of the woods.

Starting from the pleasant little square in Ittre, a small path quickly leads to unusual places so close to the town. Then there are vast landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, followed by a pleasant walk through the Bois du Chapitre forest as you continue on your way. This is how this circular route is constructed, with a few streets here and there connecting the paths that take precedence here. And, as the icing on the cake, you pass by the Brussels-Charleroi Canal, discover lock no. 5 and the Ittre marina, and, before setting off again, stroll through the narrow streets of Ittre.

A short and easy walk leading from the Sambre catchment area to that of the Senne.

On this easy walk, which is mainly on hard-surfaced paths, you will discover a fine feat of engineering, one of many in the region, symbolising both the economic vitality of this area and human ingenuity in overcoming natural obstacles.

Here is a pleasant circular route mainly along the water’s edge with an unusual point of interest. To explore it properly, bring a torch. You’ll be able to see inside the Godarville boat tunnel, though without actually entering it. Those with a keen eye will spot here and there remnants of times gone by, such as landing stages, bollards or mooring posts, and a variety of birds, including cormorants.

Starting from the historic site of "Napoleon's last headquarters", this walk will introduce you to a region that is too often overlooked. You will take a quiet road, a dirt track and then paths over a small river before climbing up to a road that you will quickly cross to find another path at the bottom of the garden... And there you are in the centre of Plancenoit for a short while. Very quickly, your steps will take you back to crossroads combining tarmac (a little) and natural ground to cross the river again, then pastures and a historic farm, ending up on a very, very quiet road.

Starting from the Étangs du Paradis, here is a circular route to discover the rural side of Braine-l'Alleud towards Ophain-Bois-Seigneur-Isaac. Les Hayettes, Village No. 1, the ponds and the new swimming pool in Braine are dotted along a very varied route.

A circular walk in and around the lovely little Ermitage nature reserve (managed by Natagora), a haven of nature and tranquillity between Braine-le-Château and Ittre. The walk features several information boards.

This walk is an extension of walk no. 82622036 (no. 357) "On the heights of Braine-le-Château". It extends from 5.5 km to 11.5 km and takes you through part of the Bois de Hal to admire the carpets of flowers, including blue hyacinths in spring.

A beautiful little hike, mainly on trails interspersed with a few short stretches on quiet roads, offering beautiful panoramic views and some magnificent trees. You may be lucky enough to spot a deer or two, a fox or a badger as you pass through one of the shady corners of the walk. Take the time to soak up the serenity of the undergrowth and stop at the foot of the remarkable trees.

Starting from the charming Place de Plancenoit, this circular route takes you on a journey of discovery through the landscapes of Walloon Brabant, across fields and through woods. Most of the paths are natural, whilst others have been developed. Pleasant surprises await walkers, despite a 2 km stretch along the roadside as there are no connecting paths at this point. Sturdy walking boots may be useful, especially if it has rained in the days leading up to your walk. The route is not recommended for pushchairs or people with reduced mobility (narrow, sometimes muddy paths; crossing a field).

A very beautiful circular walk with varied landscapes. As there are not many shaded areas, this walk is best avoided when it is hot and the sun is beating down. Magnificent in autumn, also nice in winter, but you can hear the N5 more as the trees are bare.

Starting from the 1815 site, this first stage of my tour of Wallonia connects two towns named Braine – Braine-l’Alleud and Braine-le-Comte – whilst prioritising routes away from towns and villages as much as possible. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are farm tracks or footpaths. Where possible, yes; otherwise, mostly small country roads.

Here is a long and challenging circular route, with numerous ascents and descents, through woodland or open countryside, taking in tarmac roads, cobbled streets, gravel paths, dirt tracks and sandy terrain. All this whilst avoiding built-up areas as much as possible and staying in the countryside.

This is a magnificent walk that can be enjoyed on foot or by mountain bike. It takes place almost entirely in the beautiful countryside of Walloon Brabant, amongst fields, meadows and woodland. The surfaces vary: tarmac, old cobblestones, farm tracks and footpaths. In autumn, pheasants are everywhere and you may be lucky enough to spot a herd of does emerging from beneath the trees at the edge of a wood to feed on fresh grass in a meadow.

For once, here is a long 27 km circular hike through the rolling countryside of this corner of Walloon Brabant. Starting from the Butte du Lion - site 1815 - it first crosses the town of Braine-l'Alleud before returning to the countryside, which the hike hardly leaves until it returns to the foot of the Butte du Lion.

Here is a circular walk allowing you to discover the beautiful spots of the Lasne - Couture-Saint-Germain area, sometimes completely surrounded by nature, sometimes passing through the pretty neighbourhoods of this area. It involves a lot of ups and downs: the walk is in the "Brabant double 'v'allon" and the views are superb.