GR 126 Brussels-Semois

GR 126 is known as one of the most compelling GR routes in our country, not least due to the great variety of landscapes encountered along the 240 km long route.

After Brussels, the Sonian Forest, and Walloon Brabant, the route leads into the little-known but no less interesting Samber Valley. Between Namur and Dinant, the impressive Meuse Valley is explored. After a stretch of the Lesse and the much more intimate Houille valley, the route ends in the deeply incised Semois valley, near the French border. Variety guaranteed!

GR 126 is accessible by public transportation almost everywhere. Between Namur and Gedinne, the path is even served by a series of train stops over a distance of 120 km, making it possible to organize a four- or five-day trek without having to carry heavy luggage. Choose one of the many campsites or hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs in the area as a central base and hike from station to station along one of the most beautiful and adventurous walking routes in Belgium!

Since 2017, GR 126 has been extended from Brussegem further northwards to Mariakerke. There is now also a connection to GR 5A. The new Flemish stretch of 30 km runs via Opdorp, the geographical center of Flanders.

This geographical center was calculated in 1999 by students from Leuven University. The municipality of Buggenhout had a sculpture placed a few hundred meters away – to save a farmer's field – in 2003 by the Buggenhout artist Roger Van den Eede. With the striking title: The Center.
The Walloon journalist Christophe Deborsu became fascinated by this and had the National Geographic Institute determine the center of Wallonia. This turns out to be located in the village of Spontin, a part of Yvoir near Dinant by the stream 'Bock'. And there too, a piece of art symbolizes the center of Wallonia.

Bart Biesemans, municipal secretary of Buggenhout, launched the idea in 2013 to connect both centers and found a willing partner in Grote Routepaden. From Spontin, one can walk via GR 575-576 to Namur and connect to GR 126 at Jambes. This way, one can hike from center to center via GR.