Saint-Hadelin and its legends

(S/E) This walk starts from a place called "Le Fief" in Saint-Hadelin, very close to the church. Park in the square and then take the narrow path between the sign for Le Fief and the stone wall surrounding the neighbouring property.

Please note that this stony path can be difficult to walk on in wet weather. It descends to the left towards another dirt track, which you cross to head towards the small stream, a tributary of the Magne.

(1) You will arrive at En Rivagne: on the banks of the Magne, a beautiful group of limestone houses. Just after this, when turning right, leave the mill and its water wheel on your left and go up a small steep path towards the Route de Saint-Hadelin. Please note that a blue barrier warns you that this road is very busy. Follow it to your left. You are now in Le Rouau (there is a sign on your left). On the right, behind the houses facing the road, you will see a group of three contemporary houses combining wood and stone.

Just before the main road starts to descend, take Voie Pirson on your right for 30 metres, then turn immediately left onto a^GR® path bordering meadows on your right and a property combining old and contemporary architecture on your left (Gérarheid).

Continue along an asphalt service road of the same name that enters a wood. From here, you can sometimes see the Magne. Leave the last schist house on your left and continue along the path. At the first fork, continue on the right-hand branch of the Y, which climbs slightly. You are still on the^GR® and will cross this small wood. A few dozen metres after a small ford, leave the^GR® on your right and descend to the left towards the Magne. Very quickly, this path will give you views of the meanders of this river. Walk along the fence. You will see a portico footbridge.

(2) Take it and head towards the small bridge over the Magne. Enjoy this unique spot in the Magne valley.
After the concrete bridge, follow the fence to the right of the bridge towards the electricity pylon, then continue across the meadow to the portico near the road. Turn right onto Route des Robiniers and follow it for about 200 metres.

(3) Turn left onto Rue Emile Polet, then Chemin du Moulin. At the end of the road, turn left onto Rue de Theux, which will take you to the junction with Route du Faweux. Continue straight on towards Riessonsart. On your left, you will see a magnificent 18th-century house in the Mosan style. Then leave the lane leading to the houses in the hamlet of "Sur Les Prés" on your left and continue straight on. You will arrive in a neighbourhood with more recent suburban architecture.

Opposite No. 40, enjoy the view of the countryside and, on the horizon, the silhouette of the village of Forêt and its church. Drive through these neighbourhoods, staying on Riessonsart. Several signs will indicate the direction of the Monument du Vieux Sart. When the road begins to descend (except for local traffic), enjoy the view to the right of the countryside and, at times, the Bay Bonnet quarry.

(4) You will finally arrive at the Monument du Vieux Sart, erected in memory of the victims of the First World War. Leave the Bay Bonnet quarry on your right and continue on your left. The path descends and then climbs again on the right. You will pass between two buildings that are fine examples of the vernacular architecture in grey limestone typical of the region. Enjoy a few more views on the right towards the quarry, then continue straight on towards Les Agaus.

(5) You will now descend towards Saint-Hadelin and will soon see the chapel located on Le Fief, the starting point of your walk. At the end of the path, continue straight ahead and walk along the Magne valley once again, this time on the sunny side. Enjoy beautiful views of the traditional and contemporary architecture of this part of the valley. Continue along the path to the bottom.

(6) At La Neuville, turn left to reach the Magne. Cross the bridge and head towards Sous L'Église. The street climbs slightly to a few stone houses. Just after the last house on the right and against its gable, take the stone stairs that will lead you to the Chapel of Saint-Hadelin. Admire the magnificent view of La Magne and the meadows bordering it. Next to you is the Arbre à clous (Tree of Nails), where many have hoped that their wish for healing would be granted. The architectural ensemble of the chapel and presbytery is exceptional. All that remains is to return to your starting point via the asphalt road between these two buildings (S/E).

Start and finish at Le Fief and the church in Saint Hadelin/Olne
The entire route follows trail no. 9 (red diamond).
Good walking shoes are essential.
Many other walks start from the Hall Omnisport leisure and sports centre in the centre of the village of Olne, where there is a café and restaurant. There is a chip shop at the end of Rue des Combattants.
There is a playground next to the Hall Omnisports.

On the route:

This walk starts at Le Fief, the historic heart of the village of Saint-Hadelin, and takes you to En Rivagne on the banks of the Magne and its old mill, which was once powered by a water wheel. You will pass through Le Rouau towards a small wood where you can see the meanders of the Magne before crossing the meadows bordering it. You will then leave this magical place behind and head towards Riessonsart, a more residential area, where you will enjoy some beautiful views towards Forêt and the Trooz quarry before returning to the Adret side of the Magne valley. You can already see the Chapel of Saint-Hadelin in the distance. Follow the paths that will take you to Neuville on the riverbank before reaching the Chapel of Saint-Hadelin, its presbytery and the Arbre à clous (Tree of Nails) which, according to legend, will cure all your ills. A few metres further on, you will find yourself back at the Fief where you started.

Those interested in small heritage sites can consult this website, which provides explanations for each object (potales, crosses, drinking troughs, gates with teutés, remarkable trees, etc.) and locates these objects on a map.

Nearby

- Two other walks pass through Saint Hadelin from the Fief and the church. Others are signposted from the Hall Omnisport in the centre of the village of Olne.
- With its century-old buildings in the centre of Olne and Le Fief de Saint-Hadelin, Olne has been designated one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Wallonia".
If you would like to find out more, please visit the website of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, the Olne municipal website and Wikipedia.
- Lovers of small heritage sites: visit the website olne.petit-patrimoine.be, which tells you about the history of the small heritage sites (fountains, mills, crosses, etc.) along your route.
- Most beautiful villages in Wallonia: there are two other most beautiful villages in Wallonia near Olne: Soiron (4 km) and Thimister-Clermont (10 km).
- Wégimont (3 km): imposing castle, lake, playgrounds, mini golf, open-air swimming pool.
- Further afield: Liège, Maastricht, Verviers, Eupen, the Hautes Fagnes, Monschau and Aachen.