Donkey Trail: Olne-Hansez-Nessonvaux

Park at the Croix Renard (Route Croix Renard, Olne).

The walk follows the purple cross No. 6 markings throughout the route.

(S/E) From the ‘Croix Renard’ viewpoint, head towards Hansez and immediately take the first path on the left called ‘Sur les jardins’. Continue towards Chinehotte, keeping to your left. This hamlet offers a lovely view of a magnificent manor house (with guest rooms) and the church in the village of Nessonvaux. Carry on straight ahead and, at the crossroads, cross the N604.

(1) Take the small bridge on the left that crosses a stream. Then continue to the right, following the stream.
After the signpost, carry on straight ahead and, as you come out of the bend, take the small lane immediately on your right, which leads to a branch of the Vesdre that used to supply several mills.
Then take the road on your right and cross the N604 again to continue straight ahead.

(2) After 100m, you cross a small bridge on your right again and continue to the left, following the walls of an old mill. Continue to follow the Vesdre for about 150m.

(3) You now begin the climb towards Hanbsez. After 100m, at the entrance to a property on your right, a small path will take you towards Thier de Hansez and Coucoumont.
At the end of the path, turn left onto the tarmac road of Thier de Hansez. After 100m, continue straight on up the hill towards the dirt track known as ‘Sur les Banquions’.

(4) 150m further on, turn left onto the path known as “des Ânes”, which leads to the road to Hansez.

(5) Turn right and walk through the hamlet of Hansez. At the first fork, by the Natura 2000-listed pond, turn left and continue through the hamlet. Immediately after the pond, on the right, you will see the hamlet’s old school.

(6) A little further up on your left, you will see the old chapel, which has now been converted into a cultural centre.
After this short detour, you’ll return to the main road with its large buildings, whose gates are fitted with “teutés”. Continue left to return to the starting point at “La Croix Renard” (S/E).

Start and finish: Croix Renard in Olne.
The walk follows signpost no. 6 (purple cross) throughout.
Many other walks start from the Hall Omnisport Leisure and Sports Centre in the centre of the village of Olne, where a café and a restaurant are available. A chip shop is located at the end of Rue des Combattants.
A playground is located next to the Hall Omnisport.

Two other walks start from the Croix Renard (7 and 8).

Along the route:

The walk takes us towards Vaux-sous-Olne and Nessonvaux.

Many mills were once in operation along the streams flowing from Olne and Soiron. These streams join the Vesdre, which flows through Nessonvaux. Although many mills have disappeared or been converted, the leats that carried water to the mill wheels are still easily recognisable. Almost all the mills were originally used for grinding grain (communal mills) and for the wool industry, and were later used to manufacture ‘damascened’ cannons, notably for the American Civil War.

The historic centre of the hamlet of Hansez is characterised by four large square buildings. The grand gateways of these old farmhouses are topped by a teuté (canopy) characteristic of the Olne region.

Those interested in local heritage can visit the website, which provides an explanation for each feature (mill sails, wayside shrines, crosses, drinking troughs, gates with teutés, notable trees, etc.) and locates these features on a map.

Nearby

- Two other walks pass through Hansez, starting from the "Croix Renard". Others are signposted from the Fief de Saint-Hadelin and the Hall Omnisport in the centre of the village of Olne.
- With its centuries-old buildings in the centre of Olne and at the Fief de Saint-Hadelin, Olne has been designated as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia".
If you’d like to find out more, do check out the website for the Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia, the Olne local authority website and Wikipedia.
- Lovers of local heritage: visit the website mentioned above, which details the history of local heritage sites (fountains, mills, crosses, etc.) along your route.
- Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia: near Olne there are two other Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia: Soiron (4km) and Thimister-Clermont (10km).
- 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.