Loop hike in Bouvignes: a route combining history and nature

It was on a sunny winter day that we did this loop hike in Bouvignes. An early start allowed us to witness the sunrise over the Meuse valley.

Located near Dinant, the village of Bouvignes is a sleepy medieval town. The buildings and layout of the town reflect its illustrious past. 

From the heights, we cannot help but look at the ruins of Crèvecœur, witnesses to epic battles in the Middle Ages.

Our hike, nearly 20 km long, takes us towards Haut-le-Wastia, before allowing us to discover part of the Molignée valley, where the ruins of another fortified castle stand: that of Montaigle. The return journey takes us through the countryside.

The loop hike begins in Bouvignes: towards the ruins of Crèvecœur

But let's get back to Bouvignes.

The Bailliage Square, which extends between the Spanish House (now housing the Museum of Mosan Medieval Heritage) and the imposing Saint-Lambert Church, is our starting point.

Leaving the square, our steps lead us to Cardinal Mercier Street, via Richier Street. As soon as we reach this street, the ruins of Crèvecœur rise high on the horizon. They are our first stop.

To reach them, we walk up Rue Mercier, keeping to the left, passing by the side of the church and the remains of some dilapidated fortifications. Shortly after passing the ruins of the Val tower, a path awaits us on our right.

We're not hesitating to take it: be prepared, because the slope is steep. It's the main challenge of the day.

The switchbacks of the path take us to the top, where we join another path. We turn right.

The ruins of Crèvecœur are open to the public. Walkways and staircases have been built to allow you to visit them. Don't forget to admire the splendid panoramic view of the city of Dinant and the Meuse River. 

And then, imagine what this fortress was like in its glorious medieval days…

Towards Grange Farm through fields and woods following a GR (long-distance hiking trail)

To leave the ruins of the fortifications, we must retrace our steps, passing close to the path that led us to the hilltop. We ignore this path, continuing straight ahead towards a parking area. This path is lined with beech trees.

At the end of the parking lot, a drivable road awaits us: we turn right.

In its first part, this path, called Crèvecœur, is bordered on its right by woods and on its left by the countryside.

We accompany him to the point where he makes a right-angle bend. We continue straight ahead, along a country lane that leads us towards a wood.

After crossing the barrier, some 100 meters further on, we enter the woods. 

From Bouvignes, we follow the route of a long-distance hiking trail : these markers will continue to guide us.

The path descends towards a small stream, which we cross, before climbing a steeper hill. 

As we leave the woods, meadows and fields welcome us. In particular, we pass alongside a Christmas tree plantation. 

Further on, we arrive at the Grange farm : the agroecological farm has diversified, notably offering cut Christmas trees in December.

Heading towards the village of Haut-le-Wastia

The long-distance hiking trail goes around the farm: we do the same. Then, it passes between a stable and a shed, to reach another wood: the priest's wood.

After leaving the vicinity of the farm, we quickly abandon the forest road for a path, which runs off to the left, still accompanied by the markings of the long-distance hiking trail. 

This path winds along the hillside, scrambles through the landscape and sometimes seems to disappear into the vegetation: the markers remain our guides.

After the priest's wood, the Tienne des Morts awaits you: continue on your way with confidence. Very soon, through the trees and vegetation, you will probably see the bell tower of the church of Haut-le-Wastia and the roofs of its neighboring houses.

The path joins a larger road, bordered by a first house: an artist's studio, judging by the decorations. This path leads us towards the Mossiats road: we turn right.

Very quickly, a path winds between two meadows: we take it. After passing alongside the village cemetery, we emerge onto the Rue du Centre: our steps lead us to the left.

At the Y-junction, we turn left again, and it is by this street that we leave the village, without lingering there any longer.

A descent into the Molignée valley, towards the ruins of Montaigle

Leaving Haut-le-Wastia, after ignoring the first two left turns, we come to another Y-junction: we turn right. This junction is immediately followed by another, near a World War II memorial. 

This time, we take the right branch, a path called Bois de Foy which leads us to the eponymous wood.

After 500 meters, having passed the last house, we enter the Foy woods, still following the markings of the long-distance hiking trail.

A little further on, we leave the forest road for a path that branches off to the right as it descends. The entrance to the path is marked by a barrier, which can be crossed by pedestrians.

Continuing its slow descent, this path leads us towards the ruins of the medieval castle of Montaigle, following the Flavion stream. We do not visit the ruins, even though it is possible to do so. 

We continue our walk towards the river, into which the Flavion flows and which calls to us with its murmur: the Molignée. Welcome to one of the most beautiful valleys in the region!

Continue the hike towards Sommière 

Near the river, we turn left. For the first stretch, it's possible to walk along the riverbank. A little further on, erosion has made it impossible to continue without crossing the meadow that stretches along the river's meanders.

Following the instructions that the farmer has posted on the barriers, we walk in the meadow, without straying far from the fence.

The river, its small waterfalls and their melodies accompany us peacefully for almost a kilometer. 

Then, on the left, rise the Montaigle rocks . These are ancient prehistoric caves. Just like Montaigle Castle itself, for a very long time

A private road forces us to leave the banks of the Molignée and head away from them. The forest path leads to a drivable track before arriving near a farm. We continue up this path.

After about 1 km, we arrive at a T-junction: we take the main branch of the T, on our left: Rue Les Ormes.

We walk again for approximately 1 km, before opting for a country lane on our right: it leads us to a grove, lost in the middle of the fields.

We go around the grove to the left: a wide grassy path leads us to a farm: we are in Sommière.

Return to Bouvignes and end of the walking route

After passing the farm, our walking route takes us near the village church. On the left, we spot the Rue des Bateliers (Boatmen's Street). Even without a boat, we hop aboard and head off to the left.

At the next crossroads, near a cheese shop, we head straight ahead, towards the countryside.

The peaceful road sways gently, following the movement of the fields.

It leads us towards the Chestruvin farm and the Roman road. 

We continue to the left, then pass nearanother farm: Herlem's.

Continuing our walk along the Roman Road, our steps then lead us to the Mosan Apiary and Orchards, a place of honey and fruit production.

As we approached the first houses of a district of Dinant, at a Y-shaped intersection, we chose the left-hand path.

And we continue our descent, ignoring Meez Street on the left. 

Further on, however, the long-distance hiking trail leaves the road and takes a path on the left: we follow it.

This path leads us back to Bouvignes, descending through the woods. We arrive near the remains of the Val tower, where we had taken the path to climb up to the ruins of Crèvecœur.