Around the Viroin valley from Nismes

Parking at the old cemetery in Nismes located on Rue du Fourneau.

(S/E) Leave the cemetery entrance behind you and return towards the sawmill. When you reach a fork, follow the tarmac path on the right which climbs towards Tienne du Fourneau.

Red rectangular markings

(1) Pass a road on your right and continue straight ahead up the road.

No red rectangular markings

Leave the red markings that go to the right, reach a crossroads and follow the wide track that goes to the left.

(2) Stay on the main track and ignore all paths and firebreaks coming from the left or right, and join the white rectangle on a red background signpost coming from the right.

White rectangle on a red background

(3) Follow the path to the left that follows the ridge line to reach a very steep descent that leads to the Viroin valley and the village of Dourbes.

Off the white rectangle on red background marker

Before reaching the bottom of the valley, leave the white rectangle on a red background markings and take the path that branches off to the right and leads to a large meadow.

Red line on white background

(4) At the fence, the path turns left then right and joins a dirt track. Follow it to the left and cross the bridge over the Viroin.

(5) Turn immediately left into Rue du Fays and walk along the river on your left. Pass the tables and benches of a picnic area and reach a car park opposite some beautiful stone houses. Head left towards the glass recycling bins.

No red markings on a white background
^GR® markings

(6) Before following the path, take a moment to turn around and see the ruins of Hauteroche Castle. The path leads to the Notre-Dame de Lourdes cave at the foot of the church and joins Rue de Fagnolle. Pass in front of the Dourbes school and head straight ahead towards the old town hall.
When you reach this building, ignore the streets branching off to the left and right and continue straight ahead along the narrow lane.

(7) When you reach a crossroads, cross it carefully and continue straight ahead. Ignore the street coming from the left.

Off the^GR®

(8) A few metres further on, take Rue Tienne du Loret to the left, passing in front of an old uncovered wash house. The road quickly gives way to a wide stone path, which runs alongside chalets that are more or less abandoned. Continue along the path and you will reach a crossroads with Rue de Mariembourg.

Green rectangular sign

(9) Follow it to the right and continue uphill. Ignore the paths on the left and right, pass a large information board and continue towards the summit. Stay on the main track and begin the descent. Just at the edge of the woods, look out for a small rustic shrine on the right-hand side of the path (photo). Join a small path that heads left towards Tienne aux Pauquîs.

(10) Follow the path that runs along the edge of the forest and ignore the paths that branch off to the left. If you happen to hear the sound of a steam locomotive, you're not dreaming: it's a train from the Chemin de Fer à Vapeur des 3 Vallées(3 Valleys Steam Railway). Before reaching a farm, join a stony path that descends to the right.

Outside the green rectangular markings

(11) Follow this path, the Voye des Pauquîs, with a beautiful view of the Roche à Lomme topped with a cross on the left.

(12) Cross the Eau Blanche and join Rue de la Station and the old Nismes station. Follow it to the right and cross the level crossing. You will reach a Y-junction.

(13) Leave the main road and take the left fork. Follow the street to the Chapelle Saint-Roch on your right and almost immediately take the small path that descends to the left.

(14) The path quickly joins Rue du Fourneau; follow it to the left. After crossing another bridge over the Viroin, leave the street that turns left to enter the Jardin d'O. Cross a first bridge, then a second to the left to walk along the artificial lake and return to the car park of the old Nismes cemetery (S/E).

In Nismes, there are numerous shops, restaurants and cafés.
There are no water points along the route.
The route is not technical, but the descent to Dourbes can be slippery when it rains, so walking sticks are recommended.
During hunting season, consult the hunting calendar. https://viroinval.be - Leisure - sport - walking - hunting calendar. Or contact the tourist office on +32 60 31 16 35.
Other car park: Rue Longue, behind the tourist office, and from there join the start via the Jardin d'O +/ 700 m.
Please note that there is a market there on certain Saturdays.
Alternative route: about 500 m after the (9), take the path on the left (green square markings) to reach the magnificent viewpoint at La Roche à Lomme +/- 1.6 km round trip.

Stroll through the former municipal park, now known as the Jardin d'O.
Take a ride in an electric boat on the lake in the Jardin d'O.
The Eau Noire, which together with the Eau Blanche forms the Viroin, has a "double" bed: part of the water rushes underground and creates the Grottes de l'Adugeoir caves, reappearing in Nismes at a place called La Résurgence, a few steps from the tourist office on Rue d'Avignon.
Visit the Grottes de l'Adugeoir caves in Couvin.
Travel back in time with the Chemin de Fer à Vapeur des 3 Vallées (3 Valleys Steam Railway).
Visit the Fondry des Chiens (very popular).
In Treignes: several very interesting museums: Railway Museum, Espace Arthur Masson, Viroin Ecomuseum, the Musée du Malgré Tout.
The ruins of the castles at Fagnolle and Hauteroche, Nismes with its fortified cemetery, etc.