Fall colours and the falling waters of Hoegne and Statte
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 10.87 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,089 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,089 ft
- Max elevation
- 796 ft
- TrailRank
-
74
5
- Min elevation
- -2 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 6 hours 11 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1339
- Uploaded
- October 22, 2017
- Recorded
- October 2017
near Hockai, Wallonia (Belgique)
Viewed 8193 times, downloaded 293 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The area near and around Solwaster, Hockai, Sourbrodt and around Baraque Michel is, without doubt, one of the prime hiking areas of the Eifel and the Ardennes. The network of small and wild streams, narrow footpaths, unspoilt nature, and the mixture of deciduous forests and open moorlands is second to none.
The trails of the Valley of the hoegne stream, between Hockai and the Belleheid Bridge, are under the patronage of the Belgian King Albert II, and the valley is rated among the most beautiful of Belgium. We haven't hiked all valleys in Belgium, but we tend to agree. It is an absolute highlight.
Almost as beautiful is the valley of the Statte, a little more quiet but equally romantic.
The hiking times are difficult to state, mainly on the grounds of the many photo-stops along the way. Especially along the Hoegne, we met several groups of photographers who were busy capturing the atmosphere with long exposure of the cascades.
This is a moderate hike on small footpaths. The under-footing can be slippery and muddy, and overall speed might be lower than on the usual hiking trails.
We started at the Hotel Beau Site in Hockai, and follow a footpath above the old railway line. We cross the railway line (now a bicycle path) and soon reach the Bridge 'Pont Centenaire across the Hoegne. There is a 'gate' signifying the begin of the actual Hoegne trail that is under the protection of the king.
Always stay close to the stream, sometimes crossing from one bank to the other.
Pay attention at waypoint HG09 (Picnic Place). Don't follow the broad forest road, but stay close to the river instead.
At HG12 is a parking lot, and alternative starting place. Across the bridge and ford are restaurants, though they may only open in summer and weekends. In late October, the bridge was closed for pedestrains (vehicles may cross through the ford), and even if the restaurants were open, you would arrive with wet feet.
Following a steep ascent, you cross some farmland and the outskirts of Solwaster, before entering the forest again. You first come across a seasonal stream, before arriving at the Statte, which we will follow upstream. Shortly after the bridge is a short excursion to the top of the Rocher de Bilisse, a vertical piece of slate. There are no views from the top, but it's good for your ego.
Down in the valley again, follow the Statte for a long while, always straight at several intersections and forks. Eventually you arrive at the typical Venn moorlands. At way point HG21, don't miss the right turn. There is an example of peat harvesting a way point HG22.
At way point HG26, you have the choice of turning left (as we did) to reach the upper Hoegne valley. This part is not as scenic as from where we started, but is easy going. Alternatively, continue straight at way point HG26 and meet our trail again at way point HG28.
At waypoint HG 29 we decided to turn left to sample a few more views of Hockai. Alternatively, you may simple follow the tarmac road back to the hotel.
For the very energetic, we recommend to combine this trail and wikiloc #11696239 (3 Torrents and what felt like 100 bridges) to a grand tour of everything this area has to offer.
For unknown reasons, my GPS recorded all elevations about 300 meter lower than they are. This doesn't matter for the calculations of total elevation gain and loss.
The trails of the Valley of the hoegne stream, between Hockai and the Belleheid Bridge, are under the patronage of the Belgian King Albert II, and the valley is rated among the most beautiful of Belgium. We haven't hiked all valleys in Belgium, but we tend to agree. It is an absolute highlight.
Almost as beautiful is the valley of the Statte, a little more quiet but equally romantic.
The hiking times are difficult to state, mainly on the grounds of the many photo-stops along the way. Especially along the Hoegne, we met several groups of photographers who were busy capturing the atmosphere with long exposure of the cascades.
This is a moderate hike on small footpaths. The under-footing can be slippery and muddy, and overall speed might be lower than on the usual hiking trails.
We started at the Hotel Beau Site in Hockai, and follow a footpath above the old railway line. We cross the railway line (now a bicycle path) and soon reach the Bridge 'Pont Centenaire across the Hoegne. There is a 'gate' signifying the begin of the actual Hoegne trail that is under the protection of the king.
Always stay close to the stream, sometimes crossing from one bank to the other.
Pay attention at waypoint HG09 (Picnic Place). Don't follow the broad forest road, but stay close to the river instead.
At HG12 is a parking lot, and alternative starting place. Across the bridge and ford are restaurants, though they may only open in summer and weekends. In late October, the bridge was closed for pedestrains (vehicles may cross through the ford), and even if the restaurants were open, you would arrive with wet feet.
Following a steep ascent, you cross some farmland and the outskirts of Solwaster, before entering the forest again. You first come across a seasonal stream, before arriving at the Statte, which we will follow upstream. Shortly after the bridge is a short excursion to the top of the Rocher de Bilisse, a vertical piece of slate. There are no views from the top, but it's good for your ego.
Down in the valley again, follow the Statte for a long while, always straight at several intersections and forks. Eventually you arrive at the typical Venn moorlands. At way point HG21, don't miss the right turn. There is an example of peat harvesting a way point HG22.
At way point HG26, you have the choice of turning left (as we did) to reach the upper Hoegne valley. This part is not as scenic as from where we started, but is easy going. Alternatively, continue straight at way point HG26 and meet our trail again at way point HG28.
At waypoint HG 29 we decided to turn left to sample a few more views of Hockai. Alternatively, you may simple follow the tarmac road back to the hotel.
For the very energetic, we recommend to combine this trail and wikiloc #11696239 (3 Torrents and what felt like 100 bridges) to a grand tour of everything this area has to offer.
For unknown reasons, my GPS recorded all elevations about 300 meter lower than they are. This doesn't matter for the calculations of total elevation gain and loss.
Waypoints
Waypoint
553 ft
HG 02-Bridge across old Railway
Waypoint
543 ft
HG 03-Fork
Waypoint
217 ft
HG 06-Stay on this side
Waypoint
205 ft
HG 07-Bridge
Waypoint
175 ft
HG 08-Chene Rustique
Waypoint
106 ft
HG 10-Stay on this riverside
Waypoint
63 ft
HG 11-Bridge
Waypoint
4 ft
HG 12-Parking and Bridge de Belleheid
Waypoint
195 ft
HG 13-Fork
Waypoint
208 ft
HG 14-Path
Waypoint
0 ft
HG 15-Excursion to RdB
Waypoint
568 ft
HG 19-Keep Straight
Waypoint
581 ft
HG 20-Road
Waypoint
690 ft
HG 21-Fork
Waypoint
795 ft
HG 23-Fork
Waypoint
796 ft
HG 24-Fork
Waypoint
792 ft
HG 25-Old Boundary Stone
Waypoint
751 ft
HG 26-Fork
Waypoint
624 ft
HG 27-Fork
Waypoint
514 ft
HG 28-Intersection
Waypoint
538 ft
HG 29-Fork
Waypoint
1,455 ft
SW 03-Gabel
Waypoint
1,441 ft
SW 04-Gate
Waypoint
1,464 ft
SW 06-Denkmal
Waypoint
1,412 ft
SW 07-Gabel
Waypoint
1,372 ft
SW 08-Brücke
Comments (7)
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I have followed this trail verified View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Easy
This was one of the best documented trails I've ever followed! Kudos to the author for the amount of details and instructions provided! :)
Apart from that, my group decided to mark it as easy (we had no trouble, it was well maintained, and it isn't that long or challenging - plenty of families with kids along the way), however I can imagine it being more challenging when there's more water in the river. Mid summer, it was just trickling enough to provide nice background sound. And the scenery was beautiful all the way! We're sure to go back to this one. :)
Thank you very much for your comment! Glad you enjoyed the hike.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Done several hikes in the region but this became my nr 1!
Gedaan : 8.9.2021
HG-05 Bridge : brug weggeslagen door noodweer van 14 juli 2021. Gelukkig liep er een pad bergop. Even verder, aan een hut gingen we linksaf, evenwijdig aan de track op een breder, maar mooi pad.
Na 1,5 km alternatief liep een pad, gemerkt met blauw kruisje, naar beneden. Ook hier, aan de cascade Leopold II was de brug verdwenen. Rechtsomkeer, en terug boven zag ik toen pas een aanplakbiljet : “als gevolg van de overstromingen zijn alle wandelingen gesloten en verboden op het gebied van de gemeente Jalhay”
300 meter verder op het asfalt konden we uiteindelijk richting track en kwamen we snel aan de parking van Belleheid om de Hoegne links te laten liggen en flink te klimmen (track week hier even af).
Verder was de track goed te volgen. Door de ondergrond was het goed uitkijken waar je liep. Naast de Statte zijn door het water wat happen uit het pad, maar je vindt je weg wel. Het veengedeelte dat komt na de Statte was vrij goed opgedroogd.
HG-29 De klim op het laatste gaf m.i. geen meerwaarde qua zicht en de laatste kilometer op asfalt was behoorlijk druk met auto’s.
Ook voor mij blijft het een van mijn favoriete wandelingen.
Très très belle randonnée.
I have followed this trail verified View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Super walk along the Hoëgne and Statte, to end up on the fens and thus return to Hockai. It's very pleasant to cross the Hoëgne regularly on small bridges. It's no stroll in the park [figuratively], but not really that difficult a walk either. So put on some decent shoes, don't forget to take water and snacks, and off you go. It's really worth it. Doen!
Zeer mooie wandeling. Goed gedocumenteerd. Deze wandeling gedaan in de regen, in een natte maand... de watervallen en de rivier zelf waren dus prachtig. Hier en daar wat drassig, maar op zich goed te doen. Goed genoten van al dat moois. Merci.