On the heights of the Vesdre

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).

We leave the Croix Renard and its magnificent 360° view behind us and head down to Saint-Hadelin, with its chapel and nail tree. A superb path, called the daffodil path, then takes us through the woods to the outskirts of the pretty village of Forêt. The path leads us close to Olno, a radio guidance station. From Forêt to Croix-Renard, we enjoy an exceptional view of the hamlets of Hansez and Gelivaux and the many crops dotting the landscape.

This walk starts at Croix Renard and takes you to Saint-Hadelin before heading up to the Olno radio guidance station and the beautiful village of Forêt. You will then pass through the Massouheid nature reserve before crossing the hamlet of Hansez. Admire the listed pond and the four old farms with their barns. Halfway along the route, there is a picnic area with a superb view.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.