TWO CASTLES STEEPED IN HISTORY
Vêves Château and Walzin Château.
Marvel at two grand chateaux on a charming and picturesque walk.
l Namur Province: 15.2km/ 4-5 hours l Start-Finish: Parking spaces at Gendron station.
THIS WALK LEAVES the Château de Vêves in the direction of the picturesque Lesse valley. It follows the road to the Château de Walzin, sitting high above the River Lesse. The limestone rocks here make a charming contrast to the grey slate of the Ardennes. From the Château de Walzin the route climbs above the Chaleux rocks – popular with climbers – to the village of Furfooz, before returning across fields to the château.
ROUTE/POINTS OF INTEREST
Near the Gendron-Celles station car park (S) turn left and take the N910 above the Lesse. On the other side, at a small bend, follow the sign it will show a blue triangle downstream as far as
– Chaleux. You’ll find a bench in front of the ‘Roche à la Chandelle’ perfect for a short rest. To continue, you must cross the railway bridge behind Chaleux. Immediately the path climbs sharply again to cross the bridge over the Lesse. On the opposite bank, follow the signage’s blue triangles to the right and descend as far as the next railway bridge. This short section is poorly signposted and, for one kilometre, is frequently used by horse riders, so it can get very muddy. For a view of the Château de Walzin you have to cross the bridge and stop following the signage. On the left bank, a white/red GR sign leads you to a fork. On the right bank you can see the limestone rocks with a number of caves. The route goes down a lane as far as the water, with a wonderful view over the windmill and the Château de Walzin (1). Then take the same path to return to the railway bridge and cross it again. The marking ( blue triangles) then leads you to the left at an old forest house, towards Furfooz. A forest track heads to high ground and a bench overlooking the
‘needles’ of Chaleux and offers a glorious panorama. An agricultural track then takes you to Furfooz (2). At the crossing, continue straight ahead to the roundabout. The signage changes at this point, and the route follows the yellow triangles (see the information panel at the centre of the village). Level with a farm, the route swings right on a small asphalt path and climbs as far as a junction marked ‘Gratte Cul’. Take the path to the left, pass a telephone post on which the name ‘ Vêves’ is painted in yellow. At the next crossing, keep straight on – there’s a superb view over the towers of the Château de Noisy. After arriving at the field, take the road that runs straight ahead between two hedges. At the entrance to the wood, the route makes a big loop to the left and descends on the forest track, as far as a small path to the right which takes you to the Château de Vêves (3). There, first follow the small path which drops down to the village, then the N910 and the signage ( yellow triangle) to return towards Gendron. After several hundred metres, the trail descends to the right towards a stream. The marked route turns right onto a road then emerges after a few metres at a sunken path leading to the centre of the village of Gendron. Beware, in wet weather bypass the sunken path on the asphalt road to avoid getting stuck in the mud. In the village, take a right and climb the path as far as the next fork. The route turns right and goes up across a meadow on a track. Finally, it returns to the wood on a path, which can get muddy, before descending on a road towards Gendron station, several times crossing the road which connects the village with the station.