From Rochefort to Orval by the GR© des Abbayes trail
Walk between Rochefort and Orval, two of the 5 Trappist abbeys in Belgium, on a 116 km route. You will follow the famous circuit designed by GR for 6 days in the heart of the Ardennes with luggage transport and quality accommodation.
From
735,00 €
This new hiking trip combines nature, local products and heritage. This itinerary created by the Sentiers de Grande Randonnée (GR©) takes you from the Abbey Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy de Rochefort to the Abbey Notre-Dame d’Orval where two of our Walloon Trappist beers are brewed and listed as cultural and intangible heritage by Unesco. The complete trip consists of 6 stages for a total of 116 kilometres through the Belgian Ardennes.
All along this route, you will cross majestic forests and typical Ardennes villages such as Redu, Daverdisse, Mortehan, … Enjoy these landscapes at the rhythm of your steps.
The Sentier des Abbayes is the ideal solution for all types of walkers: marked path (GR©), quality accommodation, luggage transport, guidance application and information on the region. Everything is planned so that you can make the most of the region and its beauties.
Hiking in freedom – Variable duration from 6 to 8 days – Departure all year round according to your availability and your possibilities.
Program
Day 1
Rochefort
Reception in Rochefort in the afternoon and delivery of the complete file. Possibility to visit the village of Rochefort and its castle. Evening meal included.
Day 2
Rochefort – Resteigne ( 20,05 km ; +344m )
The departure is at the Abbey Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy where the Rochefort Trappist beer is brewed. This first stage has a fairly varied gradient: a steep climb out of Rochefort followed by a slight plateau in the Han-sur-Lesse area before descending to the bottom of the valley and then gradually climbing back up until the end of the stage. During this stage, you will pass through the different villages of Hamerenne, Han-sur-Lesse and Auff, passing by the Han Caves and the Lorette Caves.
Day 3
Resteigne – Redu (22 km ; +579m )
This stage is mainly in the forest and has various valleys: the Resteigne, Redu and Daverdisse valleys. After crossing the Lesse, this route takes you to Redu, the book capital and a typical Ardennes village.
Day 4
Redu – Paliseul (23 km ; +292m )
This new stage connects Redu to Paliseul with a single strong descent between Redu and Lesse followed by a long progressive climb to Paliseul. You will cross the villages of Lesse and Maissin as well as the Chenet wood. Pleasant forest trails all along this stage.
Day 5
Paliseul – Mortehan (27 km ; +374m )
Today’s stage is longer than the other days but does not present any particular difficulty. You will walk mostly in the woods on a long plateau with little relief. You will also pass by the Castle of the Fairies which will take you back to the Middle Ages.
Day 6
Mortehan – Martué ( 22 km ; +442m )
This penultimate stage is a succession of climbs and descents, but the effort will be rewarded as you will cross most of our beautiful Ardennes forests before gradually arriving in the Gaume via the Herbeumont valley.
Day 7
Martué – Orval ( 11km ; +92m )
After a last night in Martué, you set off again on the Abbey Trail for this short final stage with the Notre-Dame d’Orval Abbey, which brews the famous Orval Trappist beer, as the end point. This last day is not difficult but has a special feature: you will hike for about 3 kilometers along the natural French-Belgian border. Congratulations, you’ve done 116 km in 6 stages, all that’s left is to visit this beautiful abbey and taste one of our Belgian prides.
You can choose to take the return journey on arrival in the late afternoon or relax for an extra night in Villers-devant-Orval.
Practical information
Home : day 1, in the late afternoon (the welcome point will be confirmed at the time of booking)
Hiking record delivery.
Dispersion : On the last day at the end of the stage, you will be taken back to the starting point (where your car is). Possibility of an extra night and a return in the morning after breakfast.
Framing : hiking in freedom, without guide
Accommodation : hotels ***/****, bed and breakfast *** (it is possible that a transfer can be organized to the accommodation if there is no accommodation at the end of the stage)
Access: by car (free parking for the duration of the stay), by train (Rochefort-Jemelle station) + bus (TEC) to Rochefort Gare.
Dogs: dogs are not allowed on this route
Dates / prices
Dates
The Sentier des Abbayes can be organised at your convenience and departures are possible all year round. Please note: from 1 October to 31 December, the itinerary is likely to be deviated in some places due to the hunting season. You will always be warned!
Price
Below is the price list per person for the year 2023. The price depends mainly on the number of nights desired, the type of room and luggage transport.
| Double, Twin or Triple Room | Single Room | |||
| Avec transport des bagages | Without transport | Avec transport des bagages | Without transport | |
| 5 nights | 735 € | 675 € | 1.095 € | 995 € |
| 6 nights | 865 € | 795 € | 1.285 € | 1.165 € |
| Extra night | 125 € | – € | 175 € | – € |
Prices are per person
Reduction in case of non-transfer back to the starting point by the organizer.
!!! DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THIS TRIP !!!
If you take the 5 nights option and decide to leave in the morning of the first day, you will have to pass by the hotel in the evening to drop off your luggage and pick up the file before going to the departure station.
The price includes :
- half-board accommodation at each stage in a *** hotel or ****
- Breakfast and 3 course dinner
- Luggage transport
- Possible transfers from the end of the stage to the accommodation
- Return journey at the end of the hike
- Free parking on departure
- GR © roadbook
- Complete folder with information brochures, luggage tags, etc.
The price does not include :
- drinks
- picnics
- personal expenses and insurance
- anything not indicated in “Price includes”.
In pictures
From
735,00 €
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