Loop hike in Houyet: follow the Iwoigne to the Lesse, then discover the Halte Royale.

Are you familiar with the royal railway station in Houyet ? Do you know which river theIwoigne ?

No ?

So, discover this loop hike in Houyet : it takes you along the Lesse River, of course. But it also allows you to follow theIwoigneRiver until it flows into the Lesse. And in the last part of the route, discover the Royal Station, an abandoned engineering structure along the railway line, near Houyet.

A 14km route, without difficulty. And less than 200 meters of positive elevation gain.

A hike that gives pride of place to the murmur of flowing water and forest trails.

Departure from Houyet, via the Ravel

The starting point for the loop hike in Houyet is located near the Houyet train station. If you arrive by car, you will find parking.

Head towards Station Street. Turn left to cross the railway tracks, provided of course that the level crossing is open. Otherwise, wait a little while…

Immediately after the level crossing, turn right, but ignore the Ravel (line 150). Below it, on the left, you will see a small path. This path, marked as a GR (long-distance hiking trail), runs alongside the Ravel and the Lesse river, before joining it near a sports area a little further on.

Embark on line 2 of the Ravel Rochefort – Houyet. When a metal footbridge stands before you, spot the small path on the left: it allows you to reach the footbridge, to cross the Ravel and enter the village of Houyet.

Heading to Harroy Farm

The footbridge invites you to take a short detour through the center of Houyet, passing by the foot of its church, along a street which, surprisingly, is called church street.

Go around the church using the street of the same name, then turn left. Ignore the first fork and continue. The path becomes paved. Shortly before reaching a wire fence, a path beckons you to the left: it leads back to the Ravel cycle path. Turn right.

This section of the Ravel, on its own dedicated path, crosses the Lesse River. A straight stretch of nearly 700 meters awaits you. When you reach a sign indicating the Ferme d'Harroy (Harroy Farm), leave the Ravel via the side path on your right.

Further on, the path turns left, crosses the Ravel (a former railway line converted into a cycle path), and leads into the grounds of Ferme d'Harroy, a venue for seminars and receptions. Walk between the two buildings and, at the far right, you will find a path that allows you to leave the property.

At the first crossroads, turn right and take the stony path, marked by a red diamond on a white background.

Meeting the Iwoigne

This path climbs gently, gradually entering the woods. At the place called " Bois du Chero", turn left, always following the marker of a red diamond on a white background.

The path narrows as it climbs. In the distance, to your left, the countryside around Houyet comes into view. When the path makes a sharp right turn, notice the panoramic view of Houyet to your left.

"And in the middle, flows a river.".

Beyond the viewpoint, you might notice, on either side of the path, the damage caused by Obelix's four-legged friends.

At a signpost, the GR trail branches off to the left. Leave it and turn right. Be careful: a few dozen meters further on, a small path invites you to the right. Take this narrow path, which climbs quite steeply.

The path leaves the woods, to continue along their edge. Then, it runs alongside a meadow. 

Then, still following the path, head towards some houses. They are located along the Chaussée de Mont-Gauthier, the N94.

Turn left onto the N94 and continue for about 250 meters. Shortly before a road junction, look for a forest path on the right. Take it! This path gradually veers away from the main road, leading into the woods as it descends. A small stream accompanies you.

The peaceful forest path, while descending gently, reaches the vicinity of some ponds on your right. Go past them and easily pass through what remains of a gate.

At the next intersection, ignore all branches except the one that goes off to the left, marked by the red and white GR markings.

A few dozen meters further on, at the Y-junction, ignore the left branch and continue straight ahead. On your right, the stream you will now follow to its mouth, the Iwoigne , becomes increasingly visible .

Along the Iwoigne, all the way to its mouth

Now, the course of the Iwoigne is your guide. Ignore all the paths to the left and right: stay on the path that follows the river.

Sometimes the path veers away from the river. Sometimes it approaches it. Observe its uneven bed in places, lined with stone-shaped cushions.

The path leads you to a national road, the same one you previously crossed: the N94. Just before the crossroads, notice the isolated house, set on the bank of the Iwoigne, on your right.

Cross the N94 and take the path on the other side. You will soon reach the Iwoigne.

Continue to follow the river, which continues its course through an increasingly rugged and hilly landscape.

Also look out for small waterfalls here and there that rush to join the river.

Further down, a footbridge spans the Iwoigne. It is located on the route of the legendary Lesse descent on foot.

Continue straight ahead, towards piles of large stone blocks. You have reached the end of the Iwoigne trail.

As the path veers left, continue straight ahead: a small trail leads you to the point where the Iwoigne flows into the Lesse. This spot offers beautiful, peaceful views of the Lesse, which is less turbulent here than the Iwoigne, which has just joined it.

Discovering the Royal Station of Houyet

Retrace your steps and continue along the path, this time along the Lesse, whose course you are going upstream.

Ignore the small path that climbs to the left. Stay on the GR trail marked with white and red blazes.

Shortly before a railway bridge, notice a path on your left. It appears to lead towards a stone wall.

Take this path: it leads you to the royal station, or royal halt, near the railway line.

The Royal Station is a private site, access to which is prohibited. From the outside, and in particular from the footbridge alongside the railway, you can appreciate the structure of this now abandoned building.

The royal station or royal stop in Houyet

Built on the initiative of King Leopold II, this station, located on line 166 Dinant – Bertrix, was in service between 1898 and 1909.

It served the Royal Castle of Ardennes Hotel, whose management the King entrusted to the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (International Sleeping Car Company). Tourists arriving from all over Europe reached the hotel by horse-drawn carriage. Today, the royal station, or royal stop, owned by the Royal Trust, is disused.

Source: Wikipedia.

End of the loop hike in Houyet

Retrace your steps, go under the railway bridge and continue along the Lesse river.

Ignore the path that goes off to the left and stay on the red and white GR trail. 

At the next railway bridge, note the constructed structure, marked with the date "1893". This is probably a guardrail from the old path that led to the royal station.

The path leads you back to Houyet. The first house you come across is that of thecraftsman Pascal. It is a craft and antique shop, combined with a small café where you can have a drink.

Then join the road, cross the bridge over the Lesse to reach Houyet station, your starting point. 

Pascal Artisan in Houyet

When returning to Houyet, you will inevitably pass by Pascal Artisant's.

A place to have a drink, in summer (on the terrace) or off-season (inside). Pascal creates various objects from wood, often reclaimed. His creations are displayed in a vintage shop area. A place worth stopping by, especially for the warm welcome Pascal and his partner give you!