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(S/E) Leave the Folon Foundation car park towards Drève de la Ramée, then take this lane on your left.
About 300 metres further on, on your right, you will see a barrier, which is the start of Drève Joséphine, which you will take. We will take you on a short circular route to discover and enjoy the Sonian Forest.
Continue straight ahead on Chemin Parmentier.
(1) At an intersection, take a slightly uphill path on your left, the Drève de la Sapinière.
At the star-shaped crossroads, turn right onto Drève de la Meute and continue straight ahead along this beautiful forest path until you reach the entrance to the Solvay Estate, marked by a gate (open).
(2) Turn right and enter the estate.
(3) You will see a very large meadow in the distance and just before you reach it, turn left to quickly walk along it. From this path, you will have beautiful views of the castle. The path turns at a right angle to the right, continue. At the next intersection, leave the small path on your right and continue straight ahead on a path that slopes slightly downwards.
(4) You will arrive at a beautiful area with picnic tables, after passing a beautiful reed hedge. You will arrive at Pré des Pettes, which means "pears" in Walloon. At the far end of this meadow, you will see a concrete bridge on your right. Cross the bridge and then cross the wide path to take a small path on your right that climbs quite steeply.
At the top of the steep slope, turn left. You will see a beautiful, very wide meadow. As soon as you can, turn left and head towards the three giant sequoias. Take the time to touch their soft, silky bark, then head downhill towards the Vallée de l'Argentine and the Étang du Gris Moulin.
(5) Turn right and take an imposing path, which is very busy on public holidays. You will arrive at Étang Rond, which you will leave on your left, and walk along Étang de la Longue Queue, turning right to reach the foot of the stairs that will take you to the Belvédère.
(6) Climb the 140 or so steps, but don't expect to have a breathtaking view from the top. Huge thuja trees prevent you from admiring the estate...
On your way back down, take a short detour to the Pagoda and then continue along the path that will take you to the end of the Longue Queue Pond.
(7) Continue around it, turning left. This wide path will take you to Château de la Hulpe.
(8) Take the time to walk around the castle, which dates from the early 19th century. Take the wide path (north-west) to the next point, walking along the meadow on your right.
(9) Turn left and walk between the rhododendron bushes. The path climbs slightly, then descends, starting a long left-hand bend. You will soon see a rock bridge.
(10) Turn right and cross the bridge.
(11) You will cross a meadow created by the grandson of Ernest Solvay, the last owner of the estate. On your left, you can admire the château, and on your right, the obelisk erected by Ernest-John Solvay.
Continue along this path and, after a slight descent, keep left and go around the pond to arrive at the magnificent Fondation Folon.
(12) The Taverne de l'Homme Bleu offers excellent brasserie service. There is a large, pleasant terrace where you can enjoy the fine weather.
Going back up Drève de la Ramée, you will return to your starting point, passing by the orchards, which contain a collection of rare fruit tree species (S/E).
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