The village of Hermeton-sur-Meuse has about 570 inhabitants and got its name from the turbulent little river Hermeton. Because the valley of the river is so difficult to penetrate, nature flourishes there. Worth exploring!

Text and photo Eddy Vlyminck

The valley of the Hermeton is little known to the general public. This last side valley of the Meuse, just before the French border, is, however, a gem of unspoiled natural beauty. The river, with its source area in the Fagne, has undergone little or no human influence, especially in its lower course. The second part of this walk, along the banks of the river, is all about enjoying 100% nature. The sometimes adventurous path along the banks can be slippery, especially after a rainy period. So good hiking shoes are definitely not an unnecessary luxury here. At the most difficult passages, ropes attached to the rocks provide the necessary support.

Pasar 2020/4 - Last route check 2019/11

The route

Start at Place Gustave Champt in Hermeton-sur-Meuse (V). Cross the small bridge over the Hermeton past the crossed-out sign 'Hermeton-sur-Meuse' and turn left at house number 64. Immediately take the ascending path to the right. Follow this path (paved with cobblestones) next to a white house. You will arrive at a wider road (marked with green diamonds and yellow-red signs). Ignore the side road on the right and continue ascending. You will pass a water reservoir (1). The road then bends sharply to the right into the forest. Here you will continue to follow the markers with the green diamond. After a while, the path turns 180° to the left. Keep following it, gently ascending. A bit further, open terrain with a nice view of Hastière and the Meuse. Past several vacation homes and caravans on the right side. At a fork, ignore the road to the left. Follow the path along the back gardens of the vacation homes. At a fork, with a paved road on the right, continue straight on the path (under electricity wires). Soon you will have a nice view on your right. You will reach a paved road which you follow to the right. A little further, at the T-junction, turn left between several weekend houses. At the next intersection (opposite house number 67-68) continue straight on the gravel road. This is the Allée des Bergeronnettes (2). You enter open pasture. The road bends quite sharply to the right. At an intersection with hardened gravel roads, continue straight. After passing a weekend house in disrepair, you reach a highway. Turn left. Walk again past several weekend houses on the left and right of the road. A little further, in front of a farm with stables, turn left. At a wooden house numbered 9, stay to the right. You are now walking between barbed wire and a hedge. A little further on, turn left. Follow the winding path, with a forest on the left and pasture on the right. Continue following this until you reach the corner of the forest. This is Tienne d’Enfer (3). From here, follow the path marked with blue diamonds through the forest. It is now a steep descent for a while. At a cross path, turn left. A little further on, you will first reach the Hermeton. From now on, you will always follow the Hermeton downstream. Sometimes easily passable, sometimes with more difficult passages. At the bridge (4), continue along the left bank. Via a wide avenue, you will reach the old flower mill of Hastière and thus the starting point.

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