The second largest municipality in our country is just within the edge of the Ardennes and right against the French border. You notice it immediately on this green journey along some hamlets of Couvin.

Text and photo Chris Van Minnebruggen

Few places look as Ardennes-like as Couvin. Houses made of solid, dark gray stone under eaves, forests of various types, and a rolling landscape with endless green fields. Agricultural land, crisscrossed by the yellow-red route of the GR 125, the Tour entre Sambre et Meuse (268 km), and the Grande Traversée de la Forêt du Pays de Chimay (26 km). The latter has nine camping spots where hikers can pitch a tent between four o’clock in the afternoon and ten o’clock in the morning. You pass one on this walk.

But do not leave the municipality of Boussu-en-Fagne without taking a glance through the entrance gate of the sumptuous castle domain (1) on Rue Alphonse Thomas. You can drive past it by car. If you come by public transport, take the Eglise stop on TEC line 156C from Mariembourg to Pesche.

Think of good shoes. Especially after a wet week, quite a few paths are downright muddy.

Pasar 2020/9 - Last route check 2020/3

The route

With your back to the Saint-Sulpice church (V), Rue du Hachet in Boussu-en-Fagne LA. At the N.D. de Bon Rencontre chapel (2) RA, at the fork LA. Turn left with the yellow-red GR. Cross the N939, continue to follow the yellow-red and after the high-voltage line LA, descend steeply. At Tri Chalon (3) LA along the edge of the forest. At the T, turn right onto the concrete. At the top, near the benches, turn right. At the T with the Tienne-de-Boussu turn left. Cross the N99, Rue Cense Argile. Further on, go straight on Rue Marcel Moreau and descend to the T. Turn right onto Faubourg Saint-Germain and Place du Général Piron. At his monument (4) turn left, cross the Eau Noire and after the atheneum turn left, Rue de l’Harmonie 1815-2015. Continue straight on Rue Saint-Roch and turn right onto Chant des Oiseaux. At the T, turn left and a fork ahead, turn right, following the yellow rectangle. At the highway, turn right, go underneath it and then left. A bit further, a sharp right, continuing with the yellow rectangle. First an adventurous forest path, then a view of Petigny. Pass through an unpleasant dilapidated camping area and at the concrete path turn right to the N99. Turn left towards Petigny and past the rest areas at L’Eau Noire turn left, Rue de la Brasserie. Cross the protected bridge (5) and follow along the asphalt. At house number 20, take the gravel path diagonally to the right, continuing with yellow-red past the chapel of N.D. de Foy (6). At the top, turn right and at house number 40 turn left, Rue Clos des Mésanges. First gravel, then forest path. At the fork, turn right and at Inzeveaux (7) turn right and immediately sharply left into the forest. Follow at the fork left the green walk. You will arrive at the panorama of the Tienne du Lion (8). Turn left and descend to the roundabout. Go under the E420, turn right and then left over the railway bridge. Climb to the T and the Saint-Joseph chapel (9). Turn left and at house number 35 turn left again. After 50 meters turn right, continuing with the red rectangle. Pass the windmill and a little further a camping site (10). At the asphalt turn right and at the fork once more right, continuing with yellow and steeply down. At the T a final right.

Not suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, buggies