Vencimont and the Houille valley

First, follow the wild Houille valley. After a steep climb, you will discover two typical Ardennes villages and descend through the woods and along the Hiek stream to Vencimont.

Details

4334090
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.97 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 315 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 319 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 368 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 218 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking at the Tourist Office on Rue Grande.

Green Triangle Rectangle 15 markings

(S/E) With your back to the Tourist Office building, head towards the road and turn right. Ignore thefirst road on your right and continue along Rue de Bernonsart. At the fork, turn left. Follow the road uphill, ignoring the parallel road on your left.

(1) Turn left at the next road. It quickly becomes a forest path. Walk downhill for 1.8 km with a view of La Houille below. Walk on, ignoring the paths on either side, until you reach the fork at La Pichelotte.

(2) Turn left and follow the main path to the barrier. Turn left and walk along the fence. Just before La Houille, take the path on your right to find the footbridge. Cross and climb the path opposite, with a few logs and planks to show you the way. At the top, on the wide path, turn right and walk to the fish farm barrier.

(3) Take the path to the left of the gate. Walk along the main path for about 1.1 km with a view of La Houille below. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead, pass by the Moulin de Bourseigne and you will come to the wide stone path providing vehicle access to the mill. Turn left until you reach the clearing on your left.

(4) Turn left and take the path on the left. Begin a long and arduous climb. During this climb of more than 1 km, stay on the main path, which joins a stream two-thirds of the way up. At the top, leave the forest and you will see the church of Bourseigne in the distance. Continue to the left until you reach a large crossroads.

(5) Then continue to the right. As you approach the houses, the dirt track becomes a road. At the road, turn right and enter Bourseigne-La-Neuve. At the T-junction, turn left. Leave the signposts for a short while, walk to the chapel and pick up the signposts again.

(6) Continue to the left of the chapel. Go downhill and cross the stream. Go uphill and enter Bourseigne-La-Vieille. At the T-junction, turn left and go around the church on the left. Head towards Rienne. At the fork by the chapel, continue left, still heading towards Rienne. At the next fork, keep left. Go down the road and ignore the path leading off to the right. The road turns left. Continue to the fork (not on OSM).

(7) Turn right and go uphill. Enter the forest. At the multiple junction, continue left. The road becomes a forest path. At the fork (not on OSM), continue right for 600 m, ignoring the adjacent paths (not on OSM) until you reach a crossroads.

(8) Turn right and walk along a fir tree plantation. At the intersection, continue left. Go downhill and turn right onto the forest track. Walk for about 250 m and pay attention to the path on your left.

(9) Make a sharp left turn (if you come to a post with two other markers, turn back as you have gone too far). At the bottom, keep to the right. Ford the Hiek stream twice. Climb the embankment and, at the wide path, turn right. Climb up to a path on your left.

(10) Turn left and climb. Pass through branches on the ground. The path returns to a forest track. Continue right to the large multiple junction (not on OSM).

(11) Continue straight ahead on the path. The path becomes a forest track. Stay on it for 600 m until you reach the large pollarded oaks.

(12) Turn left. Descend and follow the road from a distance. At the bottom, turn right and cross the road. Continue along the path opposite. Climb up and, at the top, continue to the left. Ignore the paths and trails on your right until you reach the road. Turn right and descend the road. Ignore the road that returns to your left and enter Vencimont.

(13) At the crossroads, turn left onto Rue Grande. Pass over La Houille and go up the road. Leave the road on your right. Then keep to the right and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 250 m - Tourist Office car park
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 269 m - Path on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.2 - alt. 241 m - Fork at a place called La Pichelotte. Towards the bridge at - Houille (rivière) à finaliser
  4. 3 : km 2.81 - alt. 243 m - Path to the left of the fish farm barrier
  5. 4 : km 4.85 - alt. 218 m - Open space after Moulin
  6. 5 : km 5.95 - alt. 348 m - Wide junction
  7. 6 : km 6.7 - alt. 368 m - Chapel
  8. 7 : km 8.92 - alt. 314 m - Fork to the right
  9. 8 : km 9.72 - alt. 347 m - Crossroads on the right
  10. 9 : km 10.54 - alt. 313 m - Trail with a sharp left turn
  11. 10 : km 10.74 - alt. 311 m - Path ascending to the left
  12. 11 : km 11.05 - alt. 352 m - Multiple crossroads
  13. 12 : km 11.63 - alt. 345 m - Large pollarded oak trees
  14. 13 : km 12.67 - alt. 246 m - Vencimont entrance junction
  15. S/E : km 12.97 - alt. 250 m - Tourist Office car park

Notes

Markings are very sporadic, so the GPX track is highly recommended.
Good hiking boots are recommended, as the paths are muddy and slippery in places.
There is a bit of tarmac between (5) and (7)
There is a bench shortly after (5) and at (6)
From (7) onwards, not all intersections and crossings are on OSM but they are on ING.
Between (11) and (12), the markings become a little unclear due to haphazard clearing and loss of the trail, with some markers pointing in the wrong direction. Keep to the wide forest path until you reach the large pollarded oak trees, as this will be easier.

Worth a visit

During

Bourseigne Mill
Chapel of Sainte-Thérèse
Chapel of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Pierre1968
Pierre1968

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Perfect

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michmeux
michmeux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, we feasted our eyes (on the woods and distant views) and our ears (on nature awakening and the river).
The joy of being in a peaceful, relaxing natural setting, a true moment of peace and serenity.
A bit of a short road but really cool. A section in the woods where tractors had been working, so it was extremely muddy, but we went over the top and it was fine.
So yes, there were some tough climbs that were difficult when you're not trained, but we made it, so it's possible .
In short, a real pleasure, and with the sun shining, a real treat.

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Olivier5100
Olivier5100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike on Friday 21/2/2025! Very few people. Peaceful and serene.
For added peace of mind, I used the guidance provided by the app.
I highly recommend it for lovers of forests, water (La Houille) ... and a few beautiful hills!

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fzutterman
fzutterman

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, generally solitary route, often with lovely paths. There are a few ugly ones too, particularly the climb from La Houille to Bourseigne (large rocks and mud). The signposting leaves something to be desired, with markers that are difficult to see or missing in a few crucial places. Be sure to follow the description and map carefully!

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horizon.2017
horizon.2017

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No further comments

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Pierre Maniquet
Pierre Maniquet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, well marked, and if we got lost, it was because we weren't paying attention...
Thanks to GPX for getting us back on track.

Martie-Alice, Jacques and Pierre

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Cédric5032
Cédric5032

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The directions are very clear, as is the route.

Good footwear is essential, especially in rainy weather.

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Eric Thille
Eric Thille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, not too long and varied. Even after heavy rain, the path was very passable and not very muddy (except in one place, but this is noted in the description). The GPS route was spot on.

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chlnat
chlnat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Another beautiful hike, not very difficult but with some nice climbs nonetheless.

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babelli
babelli

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a varied and attractive route marked out by the local council. Highly recommended!

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Romamour
Romamour

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good directions that allowed us to hike without having to hesitate about the route!
Thank you very much for all your hard work in preparing this.

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lazzerini
lazzerini

Ouch!
that's awful.
here's a website that lists lots of hunts: partageonslaforet.be.
you can search by date, which might help.

Best regards

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MumRose
MumRose

I was only able to do a small part of this walk... hunting problem in progress!

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