Walking tour through the valley of the Lesse and Maas – via Castle Walzin and the rocks of Freÿr

This varied walk in the area around Dinant was done in April 2026. The walk takes you through the impressive interplay of rivers, rocks, and castles in the Ardennes. We start at Hotel Castel de Pont-à-Lesse, where parking is available along the main road. There is also an option to park the car between the hotel and the nearby campsite.

Soon, the path takes you across the bridge Passerelle de Walzin towards the fairy-tale located Château de Walzin, which towers high on a steep rock above the right bank of the Lesse. This neo-Gothic castle seems almost wedged into the rock face and is one of the most photogenic spots in the region. The best view is from the meadow across the river, where you can see the castle in all its glory above the winding river.

We climb along a wide path through a beautiful forest that feels almost like a jungle in some places. Once at the top, we are rewarded with a nice picnic spot, complete with playground equipment – an ideal place to catch our breath. Afterwards, the route takes us briefly through the inhabited world, after which we quickly seek the tranquility of nature again. In another forest area, we arrive at the gorge of Colébi, a surprising and rugged piece of landscape where the relief and vegetation create an entirely different atmosphere.

The route continues to the Rochers de Freÿr, where you pass by two beautiful viewpoints along the way. These imposing rock faces rise steeply along the Maas and are known as one of the most important climbing areas in Belgium. The different angles and structures in the rock make it a favorite spot for climbers, while hikers especially enjoy the spectacular scenery. The site is recognized as an important heritage site of Wallonia for good reason.

Then we quickly descend towards the Maas and walk along the bank, eventually getting a view of the impressive Viaduct of Anseremme. The contrast between nature and infrastructure gives this part of the walk a unique character.

After this, we walk along the banks of the Lesse, where you can see the water flowing calmly between the wooded banks. Especially on beautiful days, it is lively here, with many canoeists descending the river. It provides a vibrant and summery end to the walk, after which you return to the starting point.

In the last part of the route, we leave the river and gradually climb up along the rock mass of La Naussé. This lesser-known but rugged limestone massif offers a completely different atmosphere: narrow forest paths, rocky passages, and open spots here and there where you can catch a glimpse of the valley through the trees. The combination of elevation, rock, and vegetation makes this part surprisingly varied and a nice finale to the walk.

Through this quiet and somewhat adventurous passage, you eventually return towards the starting point at the hotel. This circular walk offers a beautiful mix of nature, elevation changes, and iconic views, introducing you to some of the most beautiful places in the valley of the Lesse and Maas.

Practical information

• Start and end point: Hotel Castel de Pont-à-Lesse
• Area: around Dinant (Lesse and Maas valley)
• Character: hilly, with rocky paths and riverbanks
• Special features: castle on rock, viewpoints, climbing rocks, and canoeists on the Lesse