Bivouac du Bois de Blaimont

This bivouac area is located on the edge of the Bois de Blaimont forest of the same name, a beautiful and varied hiking forest between Lake Virelles and one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, Lompret. On the GR trail, Lompret is 3.5 km away, the Aquascope and observation sites of Lake Virelles are 500 km away, the village of Virelles is 2.5 km away and the city center of Chimay is 6 km away. The lake of Virelles is not directly accessible from the bivouac site, but there are several streams that run directly around the bivouac site. The presence of so much water and wood was also the reason why a large metal forge had been in operation here since at least the 15th century and until 1870. Today, the 125-hectare lake of Virelles was created by damming for the benefit of this pre-industrial forge. By the way, you will camp behind the last ruins of this forge, the 18th century storage room for charcoal. In other words, bivouacking in a historical setting.

Unfortunately, however, there is also a strong downside to this bivouac site, to the extent that you may consider not bivouacking here. Indeed, the Chimay - Mariembourg road is only 50 metres away and is heavily used. So you have to put up with constant car noise. The camping ground consists mainly of a layer of crushed stone, so not so easy to use your pickets. There is also a fire ring and an information board. In the near future, access from the road would be closed off with a barrier, so that unwanted guests could be discouraged. From the GR, the bivouac site is also accessible via a new wooden bridge, you can't miss the place.

Tim Langens