Walk from Resteigne to Belvaux

A delightful mix of sights to discover throughout these 8 km: some lovely viewpoints, including Rocher à Pic and the La Lesse quarry, the Ellinchamps Forest Reserve, the bread oven and the Belvaux Chapel, as well as the Herdal Resurgence on the way back.

Details

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Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.00 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 630 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 607 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 935 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 558 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park in the former Lesse Quarry, accessible via the path in front of Resteigne Castle.

No signposting

(S/E) At the entrance to the quarry, turn right towards the graffiti-covered walls. Take the path between the two walls and head uphill. Further up, the path turns left. Ignore a path on your right (not shown on maps, private property) and continue uphill until you reach a Fork in the road.

(1) Turn left; you’ll return via the right-hand path. Walk to the end of the path, ignoring a junction on your right, but first make the most of the small hills to enjoy a superb view.

(2) Turn sharply right and enter the Ellinchamps Nature Reserve. Beware of processionary caterpillars – do not stray from the paths. Walk for about 500 m, ignoring the less clearly marked paths, until you reach a junction. You’ll take this route on the way back.

Red Trail markings

(3) Carry on straight ahead. You’ll come out into open country and then pass the hamlet known as ‘Crête d’E Linchamps’. Ignore the path leading down to your left; you’ll return that way.

(4) Carry on along the ridge path and, about 500 m further on, pass the place known as Rocher à Pic. Enjoy the view from the viewpoint. Then continue to the T-junction and turn left.

(5) Head down the wide path. Ignore the path branching off to your right. Then, further down, ignore the one branching off to the left. Leave the woods and walk out into the open. Stay on the main path, which curves sharply to the left and leads to a road.

(6) Turn left. Walk along the road with care. Enter Belvaux and walk to a junction. Change of signposting.

Dark Blue Blue Rectangle Markings

(7) Turn left onto Rue du Hambeau. Look out for the bread oven in front of the Saint-Laurent Chapel. Continue along the road, which turns into a stony track and then a dirt track. You’ll eventually enter the woods. Walk alongside the River Lesse and pass the Herdal resurgence. Walk to the hamlet known as the Ellinchamps Forest Reserve and take the path on your left. This connects with another set of signposts.

(8) Turn left and head uphill. At the top, at the place known as Crête d’E Linchamps, turn right.

Yellow Diamond markings

(4) Follow the path you took on the way there in the opposite direction, passing through the open stretch again.

(3) Continue to the left and, at the T-junction, turn left. Turn onto the hairpin bend on your right. Markings cease.

No signposting

(9) Walk along this forest track until you reach the Fork in the road from the outward journey.

(1) Turn left and head back down to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 597 ft - Carrière de La Lesse car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.39 - alt. 863 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.49 - alt. 909 ft - Entrance to the Ellinchamps Nature Reserve
  4. 3 : mi 0.79 - alt. 886 ft - Common junction for out-and-back route
  5. 4 : mi 1.07 - alt. 876 ft - Common junction for out-and-back route
  6. 5 : mi 1.77 - alt. 886 ft - T-junction
  7. 6 : mi 2.31 - alt. 594 ft - Road to the left
  8. 7 : mi 2.54 - alt. 561 ft - Junction on the left, towards the - lesse (rivière) - Belgique
  9. 8 : mi 3.64 - alt. 741 ft - Area known as the Ellinchamps Forest Reserve
  10. 9 : mi 4.23 - alt. 860 ft - Hairpin bend to the right
  11. S/E : mi 5 - alt. 597 ft - Carrière de La Lesse car park

Notes

Processionary caterpillars: take care not to stray from the paths.

Although rated as easy, the walk includes two significant climbs: straight from the start as you head up the road to the quarry, and at (8) towards the E Linchamps ridges.
You can avoid the climb at (8) by following the forest track instead of going uphill. This is a much less pleasant stretch leading to the quarry, which you’ll find on your left after the sewage treatment plant.

Benches: at (6) and after (7) near the Saint-Laurent Chapel and the bread oven.

Food and drink available on the other side of the Lesse near Resteigne Castle.

A short stretch in the open.

Worth a visit

Along the way
Resteigne Castle: not open to visitors
Viewpoint at the Carrière de la Lesse
Steep cliff
Belvaux bread oven
Saint-Laurent Chapel in Belvaux
Herdal resurgence

Nearby
Han Caves: caves, playground, ‘Préhistohan’ prehistory exhibition, wildlife park in Han-sur-Lesse.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
lazzerini
lazzerini
• Edited:

Hello Arina Tomberg, and thank you for your feedback on all the routes you’ve already completed… including this one in particular.
The option you mention in point 8 is included in the practical information, but please be aware that, although the climb may put you off as it really puts your calves to the test , there are only two 500-metre sections in common with the outward route. Perhaps next time.
I look forward to reading another of your reviews.
Enjoy your next hike!

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ArinaTomberg
ArinaTomberg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a wonderful, peaceful walk – the first part follows the hilltops, offering superb views over the Lesse Valley, and the second part runs alongside the river. To avoid the steep climb after point 8, we didn’t turn left at that point; we carried on straight ahead. This path, which is also very picturesque, takes you straight back to the starting point and also means you don’t have to retrace your steps along a section you’ve already covered.

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Umberto Darca
Umberto Darca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant walk in autumn... Stunning scenery!

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lazzerini
lazzerini

Hello Arkadream,

You mention an update – could you explain where things went wrong so that I can improve the service? You’ve noted that the route tracking was disappointing – is this related to your request for an update?
Were you tracking your journey on the mobile app?
Did you follow the instructions?
Please could you provide some further details?

Kind regards

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Arkadream
Arkadream

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walk was lovely, even though we didn’t take all the right turnings (perhaps an update is in order )

Thank you for a lovely time!

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Olivier TGV
Olivier TGV

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views and pleasant stretches through the forest, as well as the charming village of Belvaux. No trouble following the route thanks to the app 👍.

As mentioned in the practical information, the climb at the start is a bit tough, but nothing insurmountable; however, the climb at point 8 is, how shall I put it 🤔, extremely tough 🥵, you need a minimum level of fitness to tackle it, because the higher you climb, the steeper the slope becomes. For those who have any doubts about their ability, it’s better to carry on straight ahead at point 8 and follow the Lesse, which takes you back to the car park at the old quarry (as indicated in the practical information).

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