Loop hike in Furfooz: a rugged route in the heart of nature

We offer a loop hike in Furfooz, to discover one of the most beautiful corners of the Dinantregion, in a rugged landscape. 

A 15km course which, as you might expect, is not flat: 330 meters of positive elevation gain in total.

On the agenda: relatively wild and very peaceful landscapes, superb views over the Lesse valley, prominent rocks overlooking the river. But also forgotten paths along the Lesse and its meanders.

Caution: Some sections of the trail are uneven and can become slippery when wet. Good walking shoes are essential. This route is intended for experienced hikers.

Hold on to your walking sticks, and without hesitation take this totally exotic walking route in the Lesse valley. 

From the village of Furfooz to the Chaleux viewpoint

The starting point for the hike is located in the village of Furfooz, in the parking lot next to the Les Nutons hall, on rue de Sure.

With your back to the hall, turn left to quickly reach Rue du Camp Romain. Walk down this street which crosses the village, lined with limestone houses. 

After 100 meters, where the road reaches a roundabout, turn right onto Rue des Aiguilles de Chaleux. You are now on the GR125 long-distance hiking trail. Initially paved, the path becomes gravel and climbs gently after passing the last houses of the village. In the countryside, at the foot of a hawthorn tree, you'll see a bench inviting you to rest. Anne and Michel certainly won't disagree… nor will Monsieur Sax! It's always pleasant to sit on a public bench, without worrying about the sidelong glances of passersby!

If you don't want to stay on the bench, enjoy the wide panorama that unfolds before you here. The view extends quite far.

The path leads you to a wood which you follow alongside. When the path turns sharply left, follow it into the wood, and ignore the private road in front of you. 

This path leads you to the Chaleux promontory, offering a magnificent panorama of the hamlet of Chaleux below, nestled in a bend of the Lesse River. Depending on the time of year you hike this route, you might even spot kayaks on the Lesse. In peak season, when the river's flow and the weather permit, the waterway is teeming with boats.

Enjoy this first breathtaking view of Chaleux. Look out for the two railway bridges spanning the Lesse River, to the right and left of the landscape: they are on your route. As is the hamlet of Chaleux, which you will now head towards.

Descent towards Chaleux beach

Leaving the Chaleeux headland, continue your route to the left. About 100 meters further on, take the path on your left, leaving the GR trail which continues straight ahead. For this part of the route, pay close attention to the GPS track: there are many paths in this wood. 

The path descends to a first fork: take the left-hand path. This narrow, particularly rugged path leads you to another promontory overlooking Chaleux and the Lesse meander, unlike the previous one. At the next fork, continue to the left, towards the promontory whose view is still hidden from you.

The path narrows and becomes increasingly rocky. Straight ahead, you'll see a rocky spur that can be easily climbed along the route you've taken. You might even encounter a climber or two at the summit of this rocky outcrop. This promontory is considerably less frequented than the previous one, as it's less easily accessible. It's just as magnificent… provided you don't suffer from vertigo once you reach the top. It's a climbable peak, and you might even meet some climbers along the way. 

After enjoying the sweeping view of Chaleux and the Lesse River's meander, retrace your steps. Ignore the first junction and continue slightly uphill to the next one: there, turn left… walking carefully. Stay on course as you descend. Rugged and hilly in its initial section, the path then becomes more level, continuing its descent along the hillside.

You'll soon reach the banks of the Lesse. If you don't want to swim across, head towards the railway bridge. Except during periods of high water, it's possible to pass under one of the bridge's arches. Immediately after crossing, take the small path to the right to reach the railway line and cross the river with it. On the other side, a staircase awaits you on the right, leading you back down to water level. Go back under the bridge and follow the edge of the meadow to reach Chaleux beach.

Along the Lesse towards the Flobette

After (perhaps) taking a dip in the Lesse River, leave Chaleux beach via the only road that climbs gently towards the hamlet's houses. The red and white GR markers will guide you. At the edge of the hamlet, the path forks: continue straight ahead, following the GR. On your left, at the foot of a steep hill, you'll catch a glimpse of the Lesse. Your steps will lead you near another railway bridge, which you'll pass under, before immediately turning left. A few meters further on, still following the GR, take the path that disappears into the undergrowth. This path will lead you to the railway line, which you'll follow to cross the Lesse again.

Then, descend the path back to the first junction. There, leave the GR trail and follow the river along another path, below the main hiking route. Near an isolated house, a little further on, the path veers away from the river. At the first crossroads, turn right towards Gendron Gare. The direction is indicated by a sign attached to a tree.

This peaceful forest path leads you to the Flobette, an eco-friendly tavern located on the water's edge, in the Furfooz Park nature reserve. 

Gendron-Celles and its many kayaks

Laissez la Flobette et poursuivez le parcours, qui cette fois prend la forme d’un étroit sentier sur la berge de la Lesse. Attention : à certains endroits, le passage se fait étroit. Vous êtes pratiquement dans le Parc naturel de Furfooz (un lieu qui vaut la peine d’être visité). Délaissez les sentiers qui arrivent sur votre gauche, dont l’un est même flanqué d’un panneau d’interdiction de passage, près d’un tourniquet métallique.

Continue peacefully upstream along the Lesse River. Here you will rejoin the GR 126 trail, which will have made a detour through the Furfooz Nature Reserve. Note the rugged terrain. While the Lesse is calm on your right, the landscape is rugged and steep on your left, with imposing rocky peaks.

After passing through a small metal gate, the path veers to the right and leads to a grassy plain. It then joins another trail: continue to the right, following the red and white markers of the GR 125. A few meters further on, you'll see a small tunnel that passes under the railway line. Ignore it and continue straight ahead. 

Further on, you'll reach a paved area which is a large parking lot… for kayaks. Depending on the season, the number of boats varies. It's from here that many kayakers set off to paddle down the Lesse River to Anseremme.

While strolling along the Lesse, head towards Gendron

Beyond the large, gravel parking lot filled with kayaks, you reach a road: to the left, you can see a railway bridge spanning the road, and to the right, a road bridge over the Lesse River. Cross the road carefully and head towards the cafeteria, located slightly below the road.

On your left, note the access ramp to the railway line: this is the Gendron Gare train stop. This location can be an alternative starting point for the hike if you are travelling by public transport. 

Beyond the chip shop lies a gravel parking lot for cars. Walk along it to your left and look for the GR markers again. Be careful: at the far end of the parking lot, there are two paths. Take the one on the left. It soon joins the Lesse River.

Upstream from Gendron, you can also come across kayaks on the Lesse; a second starting point for the descent is indeed located in Houyet.

Further on, after passing a campsite on the other bank, the path climbs slightly. It joins the railway line at a tunnel, towards which your steps seem to be leading you. 

After climbing up to the tunnel, the path heads off to the right, only to descend immediately via a rather steep concrete staircase.

Further along, the path veers away from the river. This part of the route is pleasant and peaceful. Apart from the almost imperceptible murmur of the water or the song of a bird, you hear nothing. Take advantage of this to wander leisurely through this wooded and wild corner of the Lesse Valley.

Your steps lead you to a crossroads at a place called Chéreau. Here, you leave the long-distance hiking trail, which continues to the right. Turn left, towards Gendron and the confluence of the Iwoigne and Lesse rivers.

Now the path climbs: for over 2 km! Along the way, you'll pass the chapel dedicated to Saint Hubert, a gift from the Count of Emsens. The chapel is usually open: admire its simple and elegant architecture.

Final section of the loop hike in Furfooz

Beyond the chapel, the path, still climbing, is joined on the right by another path. Continue straight ahead.

When you reach the end of this long climb, the landscape opens up to you on the right. Further on, there's a bench at a crossroads. To the left of the bench, look for the path that leads between two hedges. In the distance, you can see the village of Gendron, your next destination.

Take the hedge-lined path. It leads you gently downhill to Gendron. When you reach the first houses of the village, at the crossroads by a lamppost, turn right. At the next fork, continue straight ahead. At the following junction, take the road towards Gendron Gare (train station). About 100 meters past a farm building, turn right onto a paved track.

Further on, the path narrows and winds its way between shrubs and bushes. In places, the path is uneven and sometimes requires you to go around fallen tree trunks. When the trail reaches a road, cross it: the path awaits you on the other side.

Continue downhill to another road, which you also cross, to rejoin the trail on the other side. At the next junction, this time turn right onto the paved road, ignoring the trail ahead. This path joins a main road, which you crossed earlier (passing by the kayak parking area).

Cross the road to reach the Iwoigne and the bridge that spans it. Here you will find the red and white markings of the long-distance hiking trail.

The second climb of the route now awaits you: over a kilometer of ascent to reach the Furfooz plateau and the village. At the edge of the woods, a bench awaits you, flanked by a wooden post. Continue along the GR trail, turning right across the fields (the path straight ahead is a shortcut to reach the village of Furfooz).

Further on, the long-distance hiking trail branches off to your right, along another country lane. Ignore it and continue to the left. Ignore the next junction, and you will reach the first houses of Furfooz. At the crossroads, turn left.

Your steps lead you back to the roundabout and the Rue du Camp Romain. Walking up the village's main street, you'll find the parking lot near the Les Nutons hall.