Wasseiges walks

Set off to explore Hesbaye on the border of the three Walloon provinces (Liège, Namur and Walloon Brabant), starting from Place de Wasseiges. A bit of Mehaigne to start with, including the Wasseiges Nature Reserve, some pastures on the outskirts of Ambresin, a stretch of ancient Roman road north of Ambresin, a (somewhat hidden) castle in Merdorp and, above all, plenty of country lanes… that’s today’s itinerary!

A peaceful walk, both rural and countryside, along the banks and immediate surroundings of the Mehaigne and its tributary, the Soile, between the villages of Avin and Meeffe, passing through Ambresin. The most pleasant section is undoubtedly the one that runs alongside the Mehaigne (known asthe"Sentier de la Mouhagne"), but the country lanes, lined with tall hedges that provide ideal shade along the route, also have their charm.

This31st stage is a gentle stroll through the countryside, with distance being the only real challenge. No significant elevation gain, no meadows to cross. Small country lanes with very little traffic, apart from a long climb over old cobblestones – just enough to rouse the walker from any lethargy. And the scenery is as beautiful as ever for those who love the countryside – though, of course, this depends on the season and the weather. Once again, I prefer the countryside to the city, and there are very few villages along the way.

A short and pleasant walk in the Burdinne area. The walk is generally quite easy, although there are a few small dirt tracks that may be affected by the weather. The route follows part of the old Promenade de la Tour, marked by small Green Crosses, but be careful not to rely on them entirely!

A walk that is half countryside, half woodland, with no difficulty and on very easy-to-walk paths.

A bucolic walk steeped in history, following in the footsteps of Marlborough.

The Hesbaye region of Liège is not only characterised by its rich agricultural plain, but also by its charming sites, consisting of wetlands, copses and sunken paths. This route, which starts in the village of Petit-Hallet, offers views of the vast plain, but above all allows you to discover pleasant places in the heart or on the outskirts of the villages that stretch along the Henri-Fontaine stream. A few farmhouses and castles can also be seen along the way.

A pleasant walk, both rural and countryside-like, along and around the streams of the Petite Gette and Henri-Fontaine in the village of Orp (municipality of Orp-Jauche). The route includes a short detour into the Paradis municipal nature and educational reserve – a former chalk quarry. Before heading back, the route takes a brief side trip to the village of Petit-Hallet, returning via the GR® 579. This route can be shortened by three kilometres if necessary.

In the mysterious area of the numerous springs of the Geer, encounter the ghosts of the Lord of Herzée in the Chevées, the nuns in the former Carmelite convent, the prior of the convent in his farmhouse, and let yourself be seduced by the quiet charm of the two Lens.

Almost exclusively rural, this circular takes you through the hilly part of Hesbaye, straddling the provinces of Liège and Walloon Brabant. A few old mills dot the route: the one at Jauche-la-Marne, which the route bypasses, and those at Petit-Hallet, which can be seen from a little further away. In Orp-le-Petit, the Grande Ferme (18th century), the Pilori, the Château Rose and the rail adventure are likely to catch your interest. Along the way, it is not uncommon to flush out a hare (literally), spot a pheasant or scare off a heron or egret.

The upper reaches of the Geer, between Lens-Saint-Servais and Hollogne-sur-Geer, are largely set in woodland along much of its course. This route also offers the chance to linger in the Haut-Geer nature reserve (the settling ponds of the former sugar factory) and discover its birdlife.

A gentle walk starting from the Ferrières mill. It crosses the Bois de Ferrières, passes by the Château le Temple farm and returns via Le Sokeu to the Bois de Ferrières and the mill.

Starting from the church of Saint-Rémi in Franc-Waret, the walk takes you to discover the magnificent Château de Franc-Waret, the countryside of Gelbressée and Boninne, as well as a few other sites in the region, such as the Fort de Marchovelette and the Ferme de la Vache.

The walk follows the country lanes of the Liège Hesbaye region, passing through the villages of Fallais and Braives.Set against a generally gently undulating landscape, the circular path offers lovely views of the crops – which are sometimes a rich golden colour depending on the time of year – as well as solitary trees, rows of poplars, bushes and other grasses swaying in the wind along the paths.Egrets and herons are usually to be seen against a backdrop of wind turbines.

From the village of Fallais, the walk leads to the hamlet of Pitet, passing the small ‘Réserve de la Quiétude’ nature reserve and through the fields. The route continues through Les Falihottes, past its old mill and the former forge of the Pitet manor farm, and runs alongside its arbour. It then reaches the hamlet of Hosdent, known as the Village du Saule, before returning to Fallais via the RAVeL L127.

This circular route starting from Fumal winds through the Burdinale-Mehaigne Nature Park, passing successively through the villages of Huccorgne and Marneffe, before returning to Fumal via the countryside around Fallais.

The feudal castle of Moha is one of the region's jewels. It is located at the top of a rocky spur on the heights of the Mehaigne, on the edge of the limestone quarries (both old and still in operation), and was apparently built in several phases between the 11th and 14th centuries. Archaeological excavations have revealed a much older presence.

Marked walking route no. 7 with a green rectangle This 7 km walk takes you to the heights of the village of Seilles and the Bois Royal de Siroux. You start your walk through the narrow streets of the hamlet of Poilsart before joining a path through the fields that leads you to the hamlet of Velaine. Once there, you will follow several country roads to the Bois de la Ronde Haie, where you will cross the River Velaine. Continue through the woods along pretty dirt tracks until you reach the Bois Royal de Siroux. At the end of your walk, you will cross the Velaine again, which is partly canalised. You then return to the road, which you cross carefully to discover the paths of the Seilles countryside. These take you to the charming Notre-Dame du Bon Secours chapel, close to Rue de Tramaka. You cross the road again to finally return to your starting point.

A walk that takes you along the Geer and into the Haut Geer nature reserve. Walkers will enjoy the scents of the earth, the sound of flowing water, the colourful palette of freshly blooming flowers, the ballet of pollinating insects, the melodious song of birds and the rustling of leaves swaying in the gentle breeze as they pass through the nature reserve.

Marked walking route no. 4 with the blue rectangle marker This 10 km walk takes you on a discovery of the village of Vezin and its countryside. You start your route at the car park of the Vezin Sports Complex.

A walk in the heart of nature through the Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve and its final viewpoint. A short circular loop for a change of scenery.

The Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve features a habitat heavily influenced by human activities over the last century. The walk crosses the reserve from one end to the other, ending at the bottom of the Loysse Stream valley. It then climbs towards the hamlet of Chant d’Oiseaux to reach the edge of the Hesbignon plateau. The descent from the village of Petit-Waret follows unobtrusive paths through meadows and fields, finally returning to the Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve.

Marked walking route no. 5 with the red rectangle marker This hike of almost 3 km takes you on a journey of discovery through the flora and fauna of the Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve. A listed site and NATURA 2000 area, the Reserve impresses with its wild beauty and the variety of ecosystems it brings together in a relatively small area (around 50 hectares). During your walk, you will see three ecosystems: heathland, limestone grasslands and forest. If you wish, there is a longer 5 km route. If you continue towards Loyisse, you will leave the Reserve and descend into the valley. You then follow the stream back up via the paths and road. You cross a small ford before reaching a pretty forest path that takes you back to the Reserve and your starting point.

Marked walking trail no. 5 with red rectangle markings This 5 km hike takes you on a journey of discovery through the flora and fauna of the Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve. A listed site and NATURA 2000 area, the Reserve impresses with its wild beauty and the variety of ecosystems it brings together in a relatively small area of around 50 hectares. During your walk, you will see three ecosystems: heathland, limestone grasslands and forest. If you wish, there is a shortcut that allows you to avoid the steep paths of the Loysse valley. This will reduce the walk from 5 km to just 3 km. If you continue towards Loysse, you will leave the Reserve and descend into the valley. You will then follow the stream back up via the paths and road. You will cross a small ford before reaching a pretty forest path that will take you back to the Reserve and your starting point.

Marked walking route number 6 with yellow rectangle markers This 11.8 km walk takes you on a discovery of the Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve and the village of Landenne. A listed site and NATURA 2000 area, the reserve impresses with its wild beauty and the variety of ecosystems it brings together in a relatively small area.

This beautiful walk in the northern hills of the Meuse starts at the car park of the Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve.At the start, there is a lovely view of the Meuse valley, limestone grasslands, orchids in season, old quarries and sand pits.Skirting the Bois des Douze Bonniers, the trail begins at km 3 on a steep path leading up to the agricultural plateau of Landenne. Caution: very slippery in wet weather.A short detour on the way back allows you to admire the Château-Ferme du Chant d'Oiseaux, where you can buy a few local products on a self-service basis.

Marked horse riding trail no. 3 with orange arcs This trail takes you on a journey of discovery through the Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve and the countryside around Vezin, Landenne and Seilles. Your route begins at the Reserve, where you will encounter the three ecosystems for which it is renowned: heathland, limestone grasslands and forest.

From Moha Castle to Fallais Castle, there is a beautiful route to cycle (hybrid bike) via the Ravel 127 and the Balade de la Pierre, which winds along the Mehaigne.

A short, pleasant circular walk, partly through woodland, featuring two steep climbs. It offers the chance to explore the Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve, which is unique in that it was created as a result of heavy metal soil pollution (from zinc smelters). It features an arid landscape of limestone grasslands dotted with a few trees, mainly birches. The numerous holes dug into the limestone grasslands are remnants of military exercises that took place here between the two world wars.

Marked walking route no. 10 with the blue rectangle marker This walk of over 6.5 km takes you on a discovery of the village of Sclayn and its countryside. Your walk begins on the banks of the Meuse and quickly takes you to the heart of the village.

Marked mountain bike route no. 3 with a triangle sign on two yellow circles This long ride takes you on a tour of Greater Andenne. You start your journey in Seilles, where you will discover Place Joseph Wauters, then the small Place Jean Tousseul, which features a bust of the famous author.

A lovely walk along the Meuse hillsides. Where there are hillsides, there are slopes, and where there are slopes along the Meuse, one might expect vineyards. And there are plenty!

A varied hike starting from the banks of the Meuse, tackling the wooded slope of the Boussale stream. The walk continues towards Coutisse, crossing the Bois de Passe Peau and then the Bois de Heer, with a detour via the Moulin de Kevret.

A walk through woods and fields. Discover a small neighbourhood in Beez (Namur).

Walking route no. 1 with the blue rectangle marker This hike starts at the Andenne Arena and takes you on a discovery of the countryside and woods west of Andenne. You begin by crossing a surprising place called Fond du Chenal, before climbing up into the Bois de Stud and reaching the Andenne Golf Course. You then walk through the countryside towards the village of Groynne. Enjoy the walk, as this is one of the most beautiful paths in the area! When you leave the GR®, you will arrive at Rue des Échavées, which you should cross carefully. You will then enter the Bois de Faux, where you will climb up to the beautiful viewpoint of La Roche de Faux. Please note that the first section of the path is very steep (it is possible to bypass it via Rue Abbéchamps). The last part of the walk takes you back through the narrow streets to the centre of Andenne. On your way, you will pass the pretty Chapelle Saint-Roch, then the charming Fontaine de l'Ours, and finally the Place des Tilleuls.

Marked walking route no. 2 with the yellow rectangle marker This 9 km hike starts at the Andenne Arena and takes you on a journey of discovery through the countryside and woods to the east of Andenne. You begin your route in the narrow streets of Andenne town centre before reaching the Ancienne Chaussée de Ciney and the hamlet of Reppe. Cross the Chaussée de Ciney with care and you will reach the Bois d'Heer and its trails. Climb through the woods and then descend into a charming valley to the picturesque Moulin de Kevret. The walk then takes you along the beautiful paths of Hautebise, Chawagne and Grande France. You will then arrive at the magnificent viewpoint of Calvaire, an old procession route that takes you back to the town centre to discover the Place du Chapitre, the historic heart of Andenne. You will end your tour with a visit to the Place des Tilleuls, where you can quench your thirst and enjoy a bite to eat before heading to the Andenne Arena.

Marked mountain bike route no. 1 with a triangle on two blue circles This ride takes you on a discovery of the countryside around the town centre and the village of Bonneville. You start your route at the Andenne Arena.

Marked mountain bike route no. 2 with a triangle sign on two red circles This ride starts at the Andenne Arena and takes you on a journey of discovery through the woods around Andenne and Coutisse. You begin your route in the streets of Andenne until you reach Rue Saint-Roch.

A very lovely walk, much of it through woodland, starting from the banks of the Meuse and heading up the small valley of the Bousalle stream to reach the hamlet of the same name. The return journey takes you back up through the Bois de Gives before descending back into the valley.The route can quite easily be shortened to around ten kilometres, if necessary.

A lovely walk in the wooded hills of Marche-les-Dames: 1 km on the road to start with and 2 km on the towpath to finish, the rest is in the woods. The path is largely marked by blue rectangles. The walk described deviates slightly from these markings to follow the ridges but rejoins them towards the end.

Enjoy the fresh air in the rolling countryside south of Jodoigne.Fields and crops await you.Things to see along the route: a few chapels, Dongelberg Castle (a kind of local coliseum that has suffered the ravages of time), a cross commemorating a former French military cemetery, in the distance the twisted bell tower of the Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Marché on the Grand-Place in Jodoigne, the pretty village of Jauchelette.

A varied walk starting on the Meuse hillside and then, after a steep climb, reaching the Solières stream valley. The return journey is via the Grand Henimont and Gives woods.

Land of the Meuse, land of farms, land of stone, land of (rail)ways, land of castles. The hike takes you through countryside and forests, starting from the Château à l'Horloge in Bas-Oha (SNCB station nearby).

Marked horse riding trail no. 2 with orange arc-shaped markers This trail takes you on a journey of discovery through the magnificent countryside around Bonneville, Thon-Samson and Maizeret. Please note that the paths are often stony, so bring horse shoes if your horses are not shod.

A very lovely walk offering some beautiful panoramic views of the valleys surrounding the River Samson. Starting from the small village of Bonneville, you walk along the upper slope of the Meuse towards the hamlet of Samson, then descend to the level of the stream of the same name, before climbing again towards the village of Maizeret and returning to the Samson via the ridges overlooking the village of Goyet.

Starting from the old Passe Peau mill on the Andenelle stream, this nature walk heads towards Coutisse and Les Arches Royales.I have no idea why this place is called Les Arches Royales, but it is quite charming and very quiet, whether visited by the King or the rest of the world: you will discover a few buildings and an old, isolated farm on the Andenne countryside plateau.Apart from the centre of the village of Coutisse, its church, its hospice and a few modern houses, the route offers nothing but countryside and woodland, passing by a few farms – some old, such as those at La Croix and Les Arches Royales, and others still in operation, such as Grosse.

An easy walk to discover the rocks of Beez with superb views of the Meuse.

Not far from Huy, discover a steep-sided valley with lush vegetation, caves and rock shelters, as well as the Lovegnée-Bosquet nature reserve.

Marked walking route no. 3 It is marked with a green rectangle. This 10 km hike starts right next to the picturesque Moulin de Kevret and takes you on a journey of discovery through the countryside and woods around the village of Coutisse.

Marked horse riding trail no. 1 with orange arc-shaped markers This nearly 22 km ride starts in the hamlet of Groynne and takes you on a discovery of the woods around Coutisse and Andenne. You begin your journey in the countryside, on a section of the GR®575.

Marked walking route no. 9 with the red rectangle as a marker This walk takes you on a discovery of Thon-Samson, ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia. You start in Rue de Thon, which is home to many unmissable local heritage monuments: the former presbytery, the Thon castle farm and the Church of Saint-Remy.

A Condroz walk through the valley of the Ruisseau de Solières, starting from the hamlet of Bohisseaux, leading through woods, meadows and across fields towards the village of the same name, with the return route taking you through the valley of the Ruisseau de Chessin, further south. 

This varied and undulating route allows you to explore the beautiful region of Solières and Ben-Ahin with its vast woodlands and picturesque streams (the Solières and Ben streams).