Hike in Anseremme on the Lesse side: follow the last meanders of the river to the Meuse

Nestled between the Lesse and the Meuse rivers, at the foot of hills, Anseremme has a lot of charm. It is undoubtedly a place conducive to walking, strolling along the water and… hiking.

This hike in Anseremme on the Lesse side follows the river through its last two meanders, before it flows into the Meuse. Anseremme has the unique distinction of being located at the confluence of the river and the Meuse.

During the summer months, the area can get very busy on certain days: many kayakers gather there to embark on their descent of the Lesse river. It's worth being aware that parking can be difficult on these busy days.

The proposed hike is quite short (less than 10 km). It makes extensive use of trails.

The route starts in the parking lot near the Sainte-Anne church, in the center of the village, not far from the confluence. It is also possible to reach Anseremme by train or bus.

If you are staying at the Gîtes Kangourou Dinant, you can walk to this starting point, passing by the lock. In this case, add three more kilometers to your journey (round trip).

Towards the heights of Anseremme

In the parking lot, walk alongside the religious building, without going to the road or the bridge. We will cross this bridge, but first we will make a small detour.

Going around the back of the church, you'll see the red and white marker for the long-distance hiking trails. A little further on, after the glass recycling bins, turn left to go behind a curtain of trees and reach the bank of the Lesse River. Head towards the bridge: near the first stone arch, on the left, you'll see a small staircase. This leads down to the bridge. This staircase can sometimes be overgrown.

This detour gives you the opportunity to appreciate thearchitecture of the Saint-Jean bridge, which spans the Lesse, practically at its mouth with the Meuse.

Back on the road, cross the bridge. You'll find the red and white GR markers again. Ignore the road that branches off to your right, along the river. A little further on, near the pedestrian crossing, leave the GR trail as it continues towards the towpath. A path awaits you on your right. Take it. 

The path climbs. After the first bend, two flights of stairs appear. At the top, at the first fork, leave the path that continues straight ahead between two fences. Another path branches off to your right: follow it. A few dozen meters further on, it reaches some houses on the heights above Anseremme. Then, it joins the road that serves these houses. When the road makes a sharp left turn, continue straight aheadto reach another path. Ignore the first fork that branches off to your right. Stay on the ridge. After leaving the last houses, the path opens into a meadow and runs alongside the woods, which are on your right.

Ignore all the paths to the right that invite you into the woods. Stay in the meadow at the edge of the woods. As it climbs slightly, the path reaches a road in a new residential area. In the distance, to your left, you can see the Charlemagne Viaduct and the Rocher Bayard.

On the trail of the frightened deer

Closer to your feet, a football pitch stretches out. Beyond the refreshment stand, at the crossroads, turn right. After passing a few houses (on your right) and a cemetery (on your left), take the forest pathahead. Ignore the road continuing to the right.

The stony forest path begins a descent. You come to a crossroads where you need to pay attention. First, ignore the path that branches off to your right, as well as the one that goes straight ahead. A little further on, two paths branch off to the left, almost side by side. If the one you take leads you to a metal gate, retrace your steps: you have taken the second fork.

The path branching off to the left climbs quite quickly, winding its way between the trees. At first, its route is not easy to spot. If needed, use the route marker on your mobile phone.

Further on, the trail becomes easier to follow. You'll spot a green rectangular marker on a white background, attached to a tree trunk. Almost at the top of the ridge, the trail then follows a reinforced metal fence. This section is easy, and the path becomes very pleasant, winding through the woods.

Further along, the path is bordered on the right by a metal railing. Depending on the season, you may or may not be able to see the Lesse valley below.

You are on the path of the frightened deer. Since this path is bordered on the left by a fence and on the right by a railing, it's indeed not a good idea to encounter a hunter when, as a deer, you're strolling here. However, you're not in any real danger. Enjoy the pleasant forest setting of this section of the hike.

Also, look down on your right for the dry stone wall that supports the path.

The path begins to descend, gently at first. Ignore the trail branching off to your right and stay on the crest of the hill. The slope steepens and the route becomes more undulating, until you reach another path overlooking an imposing building. You are now behind the Castel Pont à Lesse hotel.

Go left. The path leads you to the hotel parking lot, via a small improvised staircase.

Pont à Lesse and Villatoile

Leave the hotel parking lot immediately by taking the road alongside it, turning right. You are now back on a long-distance hiking trail. When the road curves to the left, continue straight ahead towards a path that runs alongside a meadow.

This path winds between the Lesse River, on your left, and an impressive wall on your right. Gradually, the path climbs. After passing the wall and a few rocks, it curves to the right. You then see what appears to be a gate, hidden in the middle of the woods. Perhaps you saw it earlier on the trail: we are indeed returning to a place we passed through previously.

Ignore the first fork on the right (it leads to the metal gate), as well as the next one (we took it on the way out). This time, turn left onto the long-distance hiking trail. After a bend, look for the memorial stone commemorating Baron Bonhome, who tragically died here in a hunting accident. It's not just deer that take risks wandering in the woods of this region.

A few meters further on, you'll cross the obstacle of a fallen tree. For this part of the route, follow the directions on your mobile phone : numerous paths crisscross the area and it's easy to miss a turn.

Upon reaching a ridge, the path splits in two: continue to the left. The path narrows, curving slightly to the right. Further on, when the path curves to the right again, head towards the promontory you can see.

Enjoy the spectacular view this promontory offers over the Lesse valley. Below, nestled in a bend of the river, you can see the Villatoile campsite.

End of the hike at Anseremme on the Lesse side

Back on your feet, resume the trail, while remaining attentive to the route on your mobile phone application.

After skirting the crest of the ridge, the path begins its descent. Follow the GR markers. A few tight switchbacks await you on this rugged, yet enjoyable, trail.

At the last fork, just before the road, turn right to reach the road (the other fork also leads to the road, further on). Cross the road to immediately find another path, this time running alongside a still branch of the Lesse River. Further along, the path rejoins the road, taking you to the bridge.

After the bridge over the River Lesse, take the paved path to the right and continue to the water's edge. The path runs alongside the river. Further on, it winds between the railway line, which you can see above you on your left, and the Lesse, slightly below you on your right.

gently leads you back to the center of Anseremme. The kayak landing area indicates that you are almost at the end of the hike. To return to the parking lot, follow the Lesse Riverto the church.

Are there other hiking trails in Anseremme?

Several of our walking routes pass through Anseremme. For example, our hike to discover Dinant on foot, or a (long) hike that takes you from Neffe to Waulsort.

Browse our collection of hiking trails in Dinant on Komoot to find routes that pass through Anseremme.