Nature walk in Gelbressée

This walking tour through the countryside departs from the church of Gelbressée, a place northeast of Namur that shares the same name as the stream that flows through it. Pay attention to the beautiful lindens around the church at the start. This tree is often found in our regions. It can grow up to 40 m tall and reach the venerable age of 100 years. The white and soft wood is used for making furniture, piano keys, and pencils. It is also used to make paper pulp. You start along a forest edge and then walk through fields. You are on the Haspengouw plateau, a typical agricultural area where impressive farmhouses stand among fields of grain and sugar beets. You will follow two watercourses: the second is the aforementioned Gelbressée. The route runs past the Ferme de la Maquelette and descends via a winding path through farmland back to the village to return to the start. In this region of fields and meadows, the lapwing lives. The back and wings of the lapwing are covered with metallic green feathers. Its white chest transitions into a black neck and the tail also ends with a black border. The lapwing has a distinctive long crest at the back, and its name is an imitation of its recognizable call. Route from the brochure "Balades nature en Namurois". Publisher: Département Environnement et Propreté de la Ville de Namur.