The Great Crossing of Wallonia by Bike

BELGIUM AND WALLONIA: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Once upon a time there was a country straight out of a surrealist comic book. With a passion for fries, a thirst for good beer that only the monks know the recipe for (in the cloisters, silence is golden!), a communicable "joie de vivre" and a slightly offbeat sense of humour, its inhabitants seem to have understood how to stay positive when the weather corresponds to the reputation it is given. Fortunately, it doesn't rain as often as we sometimes fear, and that's just as well, because the country has some enchanting landscapes that reveal themselves to travellers who happen to get lost there! Welcome to Belgium!

On the cultural side, this journey will immerse you in the "deep" Belgium, far from the cosmopolitan cities, where a certain authenticity still reigns in everyday life. Of course, when we talk about Belgian identity, we must also mention the great beers, and this route will lead you to discover some iconic places for the national drink, such as Leffe, Rochefort, or Orval! But we must not forget the countless microbreweries, which are an integral part of the landscape in these regions!

As for Wallonia, it is the French-speaking part of the country, covering roughly the southern half of the kingdom. It remains relatively unknown to travelers, unlike Flanders, which boasts international cities like Bruges and Ghent, attracting crowds. Much less urbanized than Flanders, Wallonia is nevertheless famous for offering the most beautiful landscapes in the country. With its green meadows and vast forests, it surprises the traveler with its wild beauty. This region also holds a special place in our hearts, as we ourselves are Belgian, and it’s always with emotion that we walk through these landscapes that shaped our childhood.

YOUR ITINERARY

The journey we propose here is an invitation to discover the extraordinary diversity of Wallonia. This itinerary will gradually take you from the Meuse Valley, where you'll have the chance to visit the beautiful riverside cities of Namur - the capital of Wallonia - and Dinant, to Orval, a famous brewing and monastic site located at the edge of the kingdom, on the border with Lorraine, France. Between these two regions, you'll cross no less than four stunning natural regions. Once you leave the Meuse Valley, you'll first arrive in the Condroz, where you'll cycle through a landscape of gentle rolling hills. Then you'll enter Famenne, a region known for its karst formations, where you'll even have the opportunity to explore the Han Caves, one of the most beautiful in Europe. Next, you'll take an old railway track turned into a cycle path to climb the Ardenne Massif, where the landscape alternates between beautiful forests, small stone villages, and pastures where a few impassive cows usually graze. After passing the medieval city of Bouillon, you'll finally reach Gaume, a verdant region with a more southern feel (relatively speaking) and typical architecture.

Bon voyage !

Day 1: Arrival in Namur

By train or by car, reach the city of Namur, located at the confluence of the Meuse and the Sambre. Although it is the capital of Wallonia, Namur has nevertheless managed to preserve a certain "douceur de vivre", which is renowned throughout the country! The two rivers undoubtedly contribute fully to the relaxed atmosphere of the city. The city centre is best explored on foot, giving you time to admire its rich historical heritage. Its belfry is listed by UNESCO.

Day 2: Namur - Dinant (31/55/68 km (19/34/42 mi) - Elevation gain : 100/480/710 m (328/1575/2329 ft))

Three routes are possible to reach Dinant, and we let you decide according to your level of motivation and your interests. You can either go peacefully up the river to Dinant by following an old towpath, or take a few detours from time to time in the surrounding valleys, making you discover some beautiful villages along the way, such as Crupet, Sosoye or Falaën. Less than a kilometer from the river, horticulture enthusiasts will not miss the enchanting gardens of Annevoie, whose water games have made famous.

At the end of the day, you reach the pleasant river town of Dinant. Often featured in tourist brochures promoting Wallonia, Dinant is nestled in an impressive natural setting, embedded in a narrow strip of land between the Meuse and vertiginous rock faces. Destroyed many times, Dinant has nevertheless managed to retain a certain charm of yesteryear, with the emblematic bulbous bell tower of its collegiate church, its citadel at the top of the cliff, its slate roofs, or its relaxed atmosphere, almost out of time. But Dinant is also famous today as the capital of the saxophone, the city having seen the growth of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the famous instrument.

Day 3: Dinant - Rochefort (42 km/26 mi - Elevation gain : 580 m/1903 ft)

Objective of the day: Rochefort! What could be better than a beer among the best in the world as a destination to motivate yourself? If that does not make you thirsty, rest assured, Rochefort is ultimately above all a small rural town lost in the middle of a bucolic landscape.
The route first takes you to the castle of Walzin, which, perched on its eagle's nest above the Lesse, is nicknamed the "Belgian Neuschwanstein"! The route then leaves the Lesse valley to reach the Condroz plateau, a beautiful rural region which will take you through some magnificent stone villages on the way, such as Furfooz and Celles. Around a bend, you will also see the castle of Vêves, which stands proudly above a promontory. Its 4 pencil-shaped angular towers give it a very romantic style!
You then gradually descend from the Condroz plateau to arrive in the Famenne area, a natural and flat depression, making you believe for a moment that the "flat country" nickname is not so overused.

Day 4: Rochefort - Paliseul (44 km/27 mi - Elevation gain : 530 m/1739 ft)

You leave the Famenne by crossing the Calestienne, a narrow limestone strip which has given rise to impressive underground cavities. Among them, the most beautiful of all, the caves of Han, will certainly lure you as the route passes right next to it! These internationally renowned caves contain stalactites, stalagmites and other rock concretions in a breathtaking mineral setting, which you can discover through an underground route of about 2 kilometers (1,2 mi).
You are then at the foot of the Ardenne massif, where vast forests and green pastures pleasantly alternate. An old railway line transformed into a greenway (a "Ravel", as we say here) allows you to gain altitude very gently. Once on the heights, it sometimes goes up and down a little, but each horizon crossed fortunately rewards the passing cyclist with a constantly renewed magical landscape.
A few cows further on, you arrive at the quiet village of Paliseul, nestled in the middle of a landscape of expansive meadows.

Day 5: Paliseul - Chassepierre (48 km/30 mi - Elevation gain : 610 m/2001 ft)

After a few kilometres, a vast geological fault suddenly cuts deeply into the Ardennes massif: the Semois valley. A point of view overlooking this river bears witness to the difficulty with which it makes its way, this one having a course that could not be more sinuous. The Giant's Tomb viewpoint reveals a magnificent view of one of its largest meanders. Then at the bottom, you follow the Semois through a landscape that could not be more bucolic. The Cistercian abbey of Clairefontaine is idyllically located in the heart of this valley. You then reach the medieval town of Bouillon, whose famous fortress stands at the top of a rocky ridge located in the middle of a meander. It is here that lived the famous Godefroid de Bouillon, who was at the origin of the first crusade towards Jerusalem. Today, his former home can be visited and you will learn a lot about life at the time.
Its cute town center will certainly be a pretext for a gourmet break, calories that you will need anyway because leaving the Semois valley is not possible without a good climb. After crossing a large forest, you then leave the Ardennes massif for good to arrive in the picturesque region of Gaume, whose gentle undulating hills are sometimes somewhat reminiscent of Tuscany. The architectural style of the villages is also quite different here, suggesting a different geology.
At the end of the day, you reach the village of Chassepierre, which looks like a postcard and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia!

Day 6: Chassepierre - Orval // Namur (18 km/11 mi - Elevation gain : 170 m/560 ft)

A place emblematic of the country's brewing wealth will punctuate the day: Orval. Nestled deep in a deep forest, the Cistercian abbey where the probably most famous Trappist beer in the world is brewed forms a surprising architectural ensemble. The abbey, whose visit is essential, will take you back in history to the 11th century.
Good news as well, you can drink Orval without worrying about having to get back on the bike afterwards, as this is where your Walloon journey comes to an end!

You are expected at 2:00 PM at the Orval Brewery-Restaurant, where one of our drivers will pick you up with their vehicle and take you back to Namur (bikes included). You will reach Namur around 4 PM. Your trip takes end when you arrive in Namur.

The last night in Namur is not included. You can opt for an extra night.

Bon voyage !

1. Duration: 6 days and 5 nights. 5 days of cycling.


2. Minimum age: 12 years old


3. Seasonality: from April 17 to October 31
   
   Spring is generally a good season, although a cooler wave cannot be ruled out at the start of the season.
   
   In summer, the climate is the best, and thanks to the many forests and the relative altitude of the Ardennes massif, the few degrees lower than in the plains sometimes bring a little welcome freshness.
   
   The beginning of autumn is generally also a pleasant period. Until around mid-October, the temperatures are mostly mild, and the trees begin to form a patchwork of colors at this time. Special mention for the larches which, numerous in the region, begin to take on their golden hue around the second ten days of October!
   
   Between November and March, the cold sets in, plunging nature into a lethargy that it will never leave until the arrival of fine weather.
   
   Note: the weather is subject to strong variations from one year to another. The information described above are only averages.
   


4. Days of arrival on site:
   
   Thurday or Sunday.
   First day of cycling is thus Friday or Monday.
   


5. Arrival and return:
   
   
   • Start of the tour: Namur
   
   
   • End of the tour: Namur
   
   Even if this tour doesn't make a loop, we organise, on Day 6, a transfer to Namur from Orval at 2 PM (included in the price). Last night in Namur is not included.
   
   
   
   Train +

   • from Brussels IC trains depart every hours '03 to Namur (1h11 journey).
     
     
   • from other important cities: if you're coming from the East (Limburg, Germany,...) there is also a direct train coming from Liège (Luik/Lüttich). The journey takes about 45 min.
     
     

   The IC train between Brussels and Namur does not require advance purchase. Be careful, however, to buy a bike supplement if you have your own bike. These cost €4 each way, regardless of the distance travelled.
   
   All times are subject to change.
   
   More information: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en
   Car +

   To reach Namur from Brussels, count around 45 min.
   
   To return to the starting point of the tour, we organize a return transfer in the late afternoon of Day 6 (included in the price).


6. Parking :
   
   Our roadbook will inform you about paid and free car parks where you can leave your car during your bike trip.
   


7. Type of route:
   
   Itinerant (linear).


8. Supervision:
   
   Self-guided, with telephone assistance in case of issues. To navigate, you will have a detailed roadbook, as well as GPS tracks of the route via an easy-to-use navigation app. As the navigation is satellite-based, no internet connection is required.


9. Level: medium to challenging (unless with an e-bike)
   
   
   • Elevation changes: There are some ascents and descents during the tour, but the climbs are mostly quite gradual. Some climbs are a little more tough, like when quitting the Semois valley, where there is an ascent of ca. 200 m (660 ft). The travelers that only cycle occasionally may opt for an electric bike.
   
   
   • Length of the stages: around 40-55 km (25-35 mi), giving you plenty of time to make lots of stops along the way.
   
   
   • Terrain: over 85 % paved roads. Some compact gravel tracks, not requiring MTB tires.
   
   Information regarding the stages is summarized in below table.
   
   1 km = 1.609 mile (30 miles = 48 km)
   
   1 m = 3.28 ft (1,500 ft = 457 m)
   
   

   Table 1: Distances and altitude differences

   THE GREAT CROSSING OF WALLONIA
   Stage	Option	Distance (km)	Elevation gain (m)	Drop (m)	Estimated time
   Day 1	Arrival in Namur
   Day 2 (stage 1) Namur - Dinant	Relax	31	100	90	1h52
   	Normal	55	480	470	3h29
   	Sporty	68	710	700	4h20
   Day 3 (stage 2) Dinant - Rochefort	Normal	42	580	490	3h07
   Day 4 (stage 3) Rochefort - Paliseul	Normal	44	530	300	3h06
   Day 5 (stage 4) Paliseul - Chassepierre	Normal	48	610	720	3h20
   Day 6 Chassepierre - Orval // Namur	Normal	18	170	260	1h09
   Day 7	End of the tour

   
   


10. Accommodation:
    
    Most accommodations are boutique hotels or B&B and when in cities, they're located in the historical centre or at walking distance from them.
    
    Two accommodation options are proposed on this tour :
    
    Standard category: 2/3* hotels or guest rooms with equivalent comfort.
    
    Comfort+ category: charme 3* hotels (4* hotel in Namur) or guest rooms with equivalent comfort.
    
    Whichever option you choose, the accommodations have all the comforts you need for a good night's sleep! All rooms have an ensuite bathroom and all accommodations have some space to store your bicycles.


11. Meals:
    
    Breakfasts are always included. Lunch and dinner are not included. During the day, you can eat in the local restaurants (you will find daily suggestions in our roadbook) or have a picnic by refueling in the supermarkets.
    Half board is not available on this trip but you will still have a few restaurants within walking distance of your accommodation if the latter doesn't have got his own one.


12. Luggage transport:
    
    You only carry your day's belongings during the cycling stages. Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to another by us, you find them at the end of the day at your accommodation. It is also possible to carry your belongings with you in side panniers, as long-distance cyclists do. In this case, you get a discount.


13. Travel Documents:
    
    A detailed roadbook (Dutch or English), a topographical map of the route and GPS tracks (via our navigation app) will be sent to you before your departure.
    
    The roadbook, which you'll also receive in hard copy, contains not only a description of the route, but also a wealth of tourist and cultural information, restaurant suggestions and places to buy food along the way.


14. Bicycles:
    
    We offer quality bikes for hire, fully equipped and adapted to the type of terrain.
    
    Equipment includes a smartphone holder, a waterproof pannier, a lock, a repair set and (on request) a helmet.
    
    An electric bike can be hired for this trip.
    
    If you wish to bring your own bike, remember to check all the parts of the bike beforehand (wear and tear of brakes, tyres, sprockets, chain, etc.) to ensure that it is in technical order for a ride of 250 km (ca. 150 miles). The bikes suitable for this trip are trekking bikes (hybrid bikes), mountain bikes, gravel bikes and e-bikes. Road bikes (tyres too thin for the gravel sections) and city bikes (insufficient number of gears) are not suitable.
    
    
15. Cancellation and assistance insurances:
    
    In order to guarantee reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay or in the event of problems (e.g. health, accident, theft, lost luggage, ...) during the trip, you can opt for a cancellation (CAP Explorer - premium cancellation) and/or assistance insurance (CAP Exporer - premium assistance). To learn more about our proposed insurances, click more info or ask us.

The price of the tour and the bike rentals is given in below tables:



The base price includes:

• A detailed roadbook in English or Dutch, produced by us during our scouting trip (Paper booklet + PDF)
• The GPS tracks of the route via our navigation app
• A topographic map of the tour
• 5 nights in 2-3* hotels or equivalent guesthouses (or 3/4* if you opt for the comfort+ category)
• 5 breakfasts
• The transport of your luggage between the accommodations
• Luggage tags
• Access to our hotline (7/7, 8am-8pm) and assistance and guidance in the event of a problem (except simple repairs such as punctures/derailments)
• The transfer between Orval and Namur at the end of the bike trip (Day 6)
• Tourist taxes
• Registration fees

Possible options:

• Rental of touring or electric bike
• The single room supplement
• The comfort+ supplement (superior accomodation)
• Additional nights in Namur and/or Rochefort
• Optional insurance: cancellation and/or assistance

The price does not include:

• The trip from your home to the meeting point, as well as your journey back home.
• Lunch and evening meals
• Your personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program.
• Anything not listed in “the price includes”

Other:

• If you wish to transport your luggage yourself from one accommodation to another, in this case you benefit from a discount (see booking form). An additional bag will then be provided to you. Be careful though, on the hill, you may struggle a little if you don't have electric bikes!
• Children and large groups benefit from discounts (see above tables). The children discounts apply if there are at least 2 adults and that the family accepts to stay in family rooms (rooms with 3 or more beds) when available.
• A 'solo traveller' supplement of 430 € is counted for individuals doing this tour alone.

    Paul and Catherine, 61 and 63 years old

"Traveling through your own region by bike and realizing that you don't know anything at all, that's the whole point of this trip! What a nice surprise also to see that there are so many beautiful places here! The Cyclodyssées roadbook was of great interest to us, a real plus compared to our previous trips that we had organized alone. Not to mention that there are small roads that we would never have dared to take if we had had the choice. Looking forward to riding another one of your circuits next summer!"  September 2022

    Gabriel and Marie, 29 & 30 years old

"A dream week out of time!!! A journey across all of Wallonia that was simply incredible. Both the accommodations and the landscapes pleased us and left us with memories for a long time. In terms of organization, everything was clear and well explained, which allowed us to truly relax and enjoy. Joseph is both very professional and cheerful, making communication very pleasant. I highly recommend this agency, and as for me, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to go on another trip with Cyclodyssées. Bon voyage!"  September 2023

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