Viroin (rivière) - Belgique walks

Over millions of years, the action of water has carved huge chasms up to 20 metres deep into the limestone. These natural chasms are called "Fondrys". In Belgium, they are only found in the Viroin region. Discover geological curiosities and viewpoints. Explore beautiful landscapes combining rocks, rivers and limestone grasslands where numerous orchids appear in spring.

This is an easy, short hike that allows you to discover the Calestienne region and the Ardennes, with the added bonus of a view of the splendid Château des Comtes de Hamal in Vierves.

This route takes you up to the Croix de la Roche in Lomme, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Nismes. This limestone peak topped with a cross offers a unique view of the Viroin valley. La Roche à Lomme is known beyond its borders for its great biological value. The rocky slope to the south-east is covered with Mediterranean-style flora, enhanced by the abundant presence of boxwood.

In the land of old clog factories and sawmills, explore this region rich in historical sites and remarkable, unspoilt nature. Set off on your adventure and your efforts will be rewarded with sumptuous landscapes and you will fall under the spell of the beautiful villages of Dourbes and Nismes. The Eau Blanche takes its name from the chalky mud it carries, while the Eau Noire comes directly from the woods and is therefore crystal clear. The two rivers meet to form the Viroin.

Set off to explore the region, from castles to rocky outcrops.

A lovely circular walk in the land of Toine Culot, the mayor of Trignolles (Treignes). A chance to discover Arthur Masson’s fictionalised version of the Toinade at the Espace Arthur Masson. An international hike… as it ventures about 400 metres into French territory.

Set off to explore the Viroin-Hermeton Nature Park, with its unspoilt natural surroundings, limestone sinkholes and calcareous meadows. From Nismes, follow the right bank of the Eau Noire, which further on joins the Eau Blanche to form the Viroin. It is precisely the Viroin, as it flows through Belgium, that serves as the central theme of this walk. Marvel at the vast landscapes that unfold before you as you follow footpaths and forest tracks, and enjoy the villages with their beautiful stone houses. The walk will also allow you to discover a rich history, with the excavations of a protohistoric fortification near Olloy-sur-Viroin, a Roman villa in Treignes, a glimpse of the ruins of the medieval Château de la Haute Roche in Dourbes, the fortified cemetery and the ruins of the Château du Pont d’Avignon, which has no connection to the other bridge, in Nismes. Nismes is 40 km from Charleroi and 46 km from Charleville-Mézières. Warning: highly addictive.

The Calestienne is a geological limestone band just a few kilometres wide, stretching from east to west like a snake between Theux (Belgium) and Trélon (France), separating the schistose Fagne-Famenne in the north from the Ardennes in the south. It offers very different and more varied landscapes than the two regions it separates, making it particularly attractive for walkers.This cross-border hike is half in Belgium and half in France, with some pretty wooded sections and others in the countryside, an ascent of the Montagne de la Carrière nature reserve at Vaucelles, a fine view of the village of Hierges in general and its castle in particular, and a few sections through the limestone meadows and their eco-pastures.In season, the flowers will brighten up the route, particularly the few species of orchid on the Montagne de la Carrière.

If you’re visiting the region for the first time and want to start off gently, we recommend this route, which combines a lovely view, a walk through the forest and an exploration of La Calestienne.

This is one of the must-do walks in the Calestienne region. The limestone grasslands, the Fondry des Chiens site, the Dourbes Nature Reserve, Haute-Roche and the ruins of its medieval castle, and the protohistoric site of Les Walleux are all highlights of a walk that offers a pleasant way to discover the region traversed by the River Viroin and the 3 Vallées Steam Railway (Mariembourg – Treignes) during the season.Whilst the suggested walk bypasses the Fondry des Chiens fault, it is possible to descend into it, admire its splendour from below and climb back up the opposite side without too much difficulty.Don’t hesitate to explore the other beautiful villages in the Viroin Valley either.

From the Viroin to the Meuse, this twelfth stage takes place almost entirely in the forest, with a steep climb at the start and a descent at the finish. Accommodation is in the town of Fumay in France.

This walking tour of Wallonia, which includes the German-speaking part of Belgium, is a circular route that generally follows the borders as closely as possible, whether linguistic or territorial. This sometimes involves forays into neighbouring territories – France, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Flemish Region. Occasionally, the route also deviates from this due to accommodation requirements or because suitable accommodation could not be found close to the borders, whilst still adhering to various constraints.

Here is the eleventh stage in a very beautiful region combining woods, fields and meadows. Steep ascents and descents, spectacular farmhouses and stunning landscapes form the backdrop to this walk.