Moulin d'Odeigne (Manhay)

Short hike from Moulin d'Odeigne, a still operational watermill.

01 - Moulin d'Odeigne :
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We start at the old overshot mill 'Moulin d'Odeigne', located on the eponymous forest road Moulin d'Odeigne No. 1.

The Moulin d'Odeigne was built before 1527. A working regulation from that year remains, indicating that the watermill served as the village's bann mill. According to preserved wood inscriptions, Guillaume Nizet was the miller in 1777 and a certain Alexander in 1816. Since 1902, the mill has been operated by the Dethise family. The current owner/miller is Odon Dethise (°1941). The watermill is still in operation. The miller grinds exclusively spelt. Flour and semolina made from spelt can be purchased there.

The natural stone building was raised in the 20th century with gray stones. The wooden cog wheels were replaced by a cast iron transmission in 1907. Until around 1980, the mill was still equipped with a wooden overshot wheel. This was then replaced by the current metal specimen, which has the same dimensions: diameter 4 m, width 1.13 m, and with 48 blades. There are 3 pairs of stones and a buhl mill present.

02 - Drî l'Vèye (field path) :
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We continue our way from Moulin d'Odeigne in a southeast direction and turn right onto the first field road after less than 200 m. This path runs a few hundred meters through the forest, and soon we cross the stream Ruisseau de la Fagne de la Goutte.

We hike along green meadows with evenly red Limousin cattle. The Limousin cattle originally come from the region of the Massif Central (Limoges). In the 17th century, this robust breed was also started to be kept in Belgium. Limousin cattle can be perfectly bred naturally, without artificial nutrients. This makes their meat particularly tasty. Gourmets therefore consider it the Limousin among cattle. (Br(on: http://www.deeleenlimousin.be/nl/wat-is-limousin-vlees)

We follow Drî l'Vèye straight ahead until we reach the 'main road'.

03 - Route du Crahay :
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The hike is already two-thirds completed. We walk along sparse residential houses and after about 600 m return to populated areas.

At number 28, we find the hotel-restaurant Les Sources. A picturesque family hotel with a good restaurant, located in the beautiful nature of the municipality of Manhay between the villages of Oster, Freyneux, and Odeigne.

We cross the Ruisseau de la Fagne de la Goutte again and turn slightly to the right, at the sawmill 'Finfe', back onto the forest path Moulin d'Odeigne to our starting point.