Sambre and Biesmelle valleys in Thudinie

Departure from Le Bas Marteau at the intersection of Avenue de Ragnies and Chemin de l'Ermitage in Thuin. There is a small car park to the right of the Chemin de l'Ermitage barrier.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, enter the woods opposite, on the other side of Avenue de Ragnies.
Take the path on the left, which goes up into the woods. Follow this path until it crosses another path. There, turn right, continue uphill and rejoin the tarmac road. Follow this road, leaving a street on your left.

(1) At the T-junction (there is a potale = small chapel on your left), turn right and then immediately left. Follow this path straight ahead until you reach a tarmac road. From time to time, turn around and admire the beautiful town of Thuin.

(2) You will reach Route de Lobbes. Cross it and continue to the right (be careful). Then take the first path on your left, which descends steeply into the woods.
Continue straight ahead until you reach the national road (N559).
NB: Before going down into the woods, you can walk a few dozen metres to admire the view of Lobbes Collegiate Church.

(3) Turn right, staying on the pavement. Cross the Sambre, go under the railway line and continue straight ahead until you reach the communal square in Lobbes.

(4) Turn your back on the square and climb the flight of steps in front of you to join the^GR® 129 (red and white markings), which you follow to the right. Follow the markings until you reach the towpath along the Sambre.

(5) Turn left onto the towpath. Further on, leave the towpath by taking the first path on the left (still marked^GR®). At the first crossroads, leave the^GR® which goes to the left and continue on your right.
After passing under the railway line, keep to the right and then immediately left onto the towpath towards Thuin.

(6) Take the modern footbridge over the Sambre. At the end of the footbridge, turn left and, under the viaduct, turn left into Rue du Rivage (cobbled street) until you reach a small square.
At this square, turn right into the street that goes uphill (Rue du Chauffour) and at the top of this street, turn left.

(7) Turn right up the stairs to take Ruelle des Remparts. Continue straight ahead, leaving the alleyway that descends to your right. After the chapel, at the top of the stairs, climb the flight of steps on your right to reach Place Albert^1er. Admire the view and the belfry.

(8) Turn your back on the panorama and leave the square on the left. Immediately turn right onto the cobbled street that goes downhill (Rue Maurice des Ombiaux). At the next crossroads, continue down the street opposite (Posty Arlequin).

(9) Turn left onto the lane that descends into the hanging gardens. Continue straight ahead until you reach Posty des Religieuses.

(10) Turn right onto the path that climbs up to the tarmac road. Once at the top, admire the view of the hanging gardens. Continue along the tarmac road.

(11) Turn right to reach the road below.
Cross this road and take the path between the two houses.
Cross the stream. Then, at the crossroads, take the path on the left that climbs up and runs alongside the stream to reach the Bois du Grand Bon Dieu car park.

(12) Turn your back to the entrance to the woods (there is a barrier with wooden balls on the posts) and take the path on your right.
Continue straight ahead (be careful, it's a steep descent) until you reach a tarmac road. You are now at a place called Haut Marteau.
Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach the Thuin road. There, turn right.

(13) At the top of the hill, at the chapel (on your left), turn left and then immediately right. Follow the dirt track and pass by the school, then go down the steps to the main road.
At the monument, take the road opposite towards the village centre.

(14) At the church, take the second left onto Chemin Ry Moria.
Join the tarmac road and turn right.
Continue along the road, leaving a street on your left.
Cross the river La Biesmelle and take the opportunity to admire the old mill.
Continue straight ahead, cross the RAVeL, go uphill and take the^first dirt track on your right.

(15) At the crossroads, turn right, pass the cemetery and then turn left onto the RAVeL.
On the RAVeL, you will cross the river twice.
Pass in front of the old Haut Marteau railway station.

(16) When you reach the bridge over the road, take the stairs on the right that lead down and continue left on the road below.
Continue straight ahead to the starting point of the hike (S/E).

Panorama of Lobbes
Saint-Usmer Collegiate Church in Lobbes
Town of Thuin. Medieval town with its belfry, ramparts, hanging gardens...
Mill at Biesme-sous-Thuin
The Hermitage