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Please note: tarmac with occasional light traffic for a good kilometre between points (1) and (2).
At (8), the path leading to a viewpoint over the Vesdre valley and the quarry has become (2026) impassable. It is best to err on the side of caution and avoid it. However, there is a lovely picnic shelter and a picnic table a little further on.
There are several benches dotted along the route.
At (10),the circular path to the north-west of Nessonvaux – between km 12.5 and 15 – is worth a detour, even though the path (a local track) is no longer very visible at the start and nature is gradually reclaiming it. You need to climb a few steps, look out for the (very old) metal handrail and take the path at the edge of the forest. Further up, at the (private) road, turn around and continue along the edge of the meadow. Then, go through the gate and cross the pasture to reach Hansez, where you can admire the beautiful architectural ensemble of the Les Villés farm-castle.
Olne – the wild garlic walk
Do give this walk a go in spring when wild garlic fills the forest paths with its scent. This garlicky aroma will accompany you for two-thirds of the route from the moment you enter the forest after Saint-Hadelin Church.
This magnificent carpet of scent, characteristic of damp, shady areas, is green at first, then green and white when in bloom, and gradually turns yellowish as the flowers fade.
Combining countryside and woodland, roads, tracks and paths that are sometimes challenging (steep and/or stony), the walk offers a delightful variety of landscapes in the north of the Vesdre Valley.
The two very different churches at Saint-Hadelin and Forêt are little gems.
Details
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 11.09 mi -
Average duration: 6h 35 -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 1,667 ft -
Descent: - 1,673 ft -
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Highest point: 902 ft -
Lowest point: 387 ft
Photos
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 791 ft - Olne Sports Centre
- 1 : mi 1.08 - alt. 892 ft - Watch out for tarmac!
- 2 : mi 1.9 - alt. 860 ft - End of the tarmac
- 3 : mi 2.43 - alt. 774 ft - Old lime tree
- 4 : mi 3.51 - alt. 607 ft - Church of Saint-Hadelin
- 5 : mi 3.82 - alt. 630 ft - Bois des Jonquilles - Wild Garlic
- 6 : mi 4.64 - alt. 846 ft - Forêt Church
- 7 : mi 5.55 - alt. 469 ft - Climb towards Gelivaux (tarmac)
- 8 : mi 6.17 - alt. 686 ft - Picnic shelter and (former) viewpoint
- 9 : mi 6.64 - alt. 804 ft - Heading down towards the Vesdre
- 10 : mi 8.02 - alt. 410 ft - A bit of a climb up to Hansez (you’ve got to believe in it)
- 11 : mi 8.68 - alt. 833 ft - Les Villés farm-castle
- 12 : mi 9.53 - alt. 387 ft - Ry de Vaux (yum!)
- 13 : mi 9.85 - alt. 407 ft - Tonvoie
- S/E : mi 11.09 - alt. 791 ft - Olne Sports Centre
Notes
Other walks in the area
The Hazienne Valley: Olne - Vaux - Froidbermont
Local authority
4.51 mi
+715 ft
-722 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Olne (Province de Liège)
Leave the village towards Vaux-sous-Olne. Walk towards the Hazienne valley and its wooded hillsides before climbing the Bois-d'Olne hill. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Hazienne, a secret stream also known as the Bola de Grand-Rechain in Soiron, with its capricious meanders and sometimes underground course. Let's head back up towards the village via Froidbermont, where the first castle of Olne was located.
the Tour of Olne
15.53 mi
+1,703 ft
-1,719 ft
8h 35
Difficult
Departure from Olne (Province de Liège)
After revisiting a dozen walks in their municipality, a few lovers of hiking and beautiful landscapes in Olne decided to set themselves a challenge: to mark out a walk on the outskirts of the area. This is how this tour of Olne came about, taking you over hill and dale to discover one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia.
Via Olne: a route around the town centre
2.60 mi
+148 ft
-141 ft
1h 20
Easy
Departure from Olne (Province de Liège)
A short and easy route around the village of Olne, one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in Wallonia’.
Starting from the Hall Omnisport, we head towards La Bouteille, the highest point in the municipality. A short detour through Le Rafhay and its wide open green spaces before returning to the village via La Falise and its chantoir. On the way back, we pass through the streets of Olne’s centre with its beautiful patrician mansions and church. This walk follows signpost no. 2 (Green Diamond).
The Rafhay hedgerows: Olne - Saint Hadelin
4.36 mi
+440 ft
-446 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Olne (Province de Liège)
From the centre of Olne, one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, we descend towards the Ri de Rode before reaching the Rafhay bocage. This is a typical Pays-de-Herve landscape with its meadows, hedges, paths and a few characterful farms. Enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Saint-Hadelin, one of the most picturesque hamlets in the municipality. On a clear day, you can see the Botrange signal to the south-east and the Bronronne wind turbine due south. This path follows the purple rectangle markings (walk no. 1)
Walk along the ridges via Vaux and the Bois d'Olne
5.65 mi
+761 ft
-768 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Olne (Province de Liège)
This walk takes us to Petit Vaux and the entrance to Nessonvaux, where we climb the Bois-d'Olne hill on its southern slope. From Bois-d'Olne to Grihanster, we walk along a magnificent ridge. From here, we can admire two very different landscapes. To the north, the Hazienne valley and the village of Olne, and to the south, the Vesdre valley and the first wooded foothills of the Ardennes.
From the plateau to the valley via Olne, Saint-Hadelin and Vaux-sous-Olne
4.98 mi
+587 ft
-617 ft
2h 50
Moderate
Departure from Olne (Province de Liège)
Leaving the village, head towards La Falise, following in the footsteps of the herders who used to take their flocks to graze on the Rafhay pastures. Continue on to Saint-Hadelin, Le Fief, its chapel and its nail tree. Head towards Croix-Renard and descend into the Vesdre valley to cross Nessonvaux and Vaux-sous-Olne. This route takes you past many workshops that drew their energy from the Ry-de-Vaux. Head back up towards the Terwangne woods and the village.
On the heights of the Vesdre
Visorando Member
10.40 mi
+1,457 ft
-1,457 ft
6h 05
Moderate
Departure from Trooz (Province de Liège)
A mainly woodland walk in the hills above the Vesdre between Nessonvaux, Banneux and Fraipont, offering walkers beautiful views of the valley, the village of Goffontaine and the hills of Olne to the north.
Circular on the banks of the Vesdre starting from Nessonvaux
10.20 mi
+1,470 ft
-1,473 ft
6h 00
Moderate
Departure from Trooz (Province de Liège)
This hike starts at Nessonvaux station, a village on the banks of the Vesdre. It meanders along the edge of the Herve region and the Vesdre ridges, from paths with distant horizons to sunken trails hidden in the many small, steep-sided valleys. It winds its way through authentic villages such as Olne (one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia), hamlets and other isolated places steeped in history. This rural route winds its way through a region with a thousand paths and significant elevation changes. Its charm and tranquillity encourage you to return in all seasons and in all directions, except after heavy rain or periods of frost, ice or snow.Please note: this hike does not take place in the Condroz, but in the Pays de Herve (more precisely in the Vesdre valley).
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