Hiking trails, river landscapes and history offer a range of ways to enjoy a stay in Chastre. The trails vary in length and theme; geological features, medieval architecture and cultural sites recalling the events of 1940 add to the mix. When planning your visit, it is therefore worth looking at what each route has to offer: one route passes through the Bois de l'Ermitage, while another focuses on the Blanmont rock formation along the way.
Hiking trails with different highlights
The Balade de l'Orne starts at the MĂ©morial Kongolo and passes through the Bois de l'Ermitage. It is rated moderate and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. It is 2.5 km long, or 4 km with a variant. The Balade de l'Orne et de l'Ernage is a different walking route in Chastre, measuring 8 km. The longer route thus contrasts with the shorter Balade de l'Orne; the latter also has an approximate duration and difficulty rating. Check the route details locally before setting off.
The Totemus treasure hunt in Chastre follows a 6.5 km route along the Orne and adds a different format to the selection. The Syndicat d'Initiative de Chastre offers another point of reference: it has a range of walking routes and is located on the grounds of the town hall. Along the Balade Pierreuse de Blanmont, numerous traces of the siliceous rock formation that gave Blanmont its name and is particularly distinctive there can be seen.
River, valley and wetlands
The Orne flows through Chastre and, together with its tributaries, contributes to the commune's landscape. One hike passes through the Houssière Valley, where rural landscapes and ponds line the route. The municipal woodland south of the village of Gentinnes is a nature reserve covering about 1.5 hectares. Its stream and small ponds also form a wetland of educational interest. These landscape features differ from the geological character of the Balade Pierreuse: there, the focus is on traces of the formation characteristic of Blanmont; here, it is on the river, valley and wetlands.
History in buildings and museums
The former Chaussée Brunehaut, a Roman road between Bavai and Cologne, crosses the south of Chastre. The Tour de Boissemont offers another glimpse into the area's earlier architectural history: the square tower, dating from the 12th century, is a surviving fragment of a former seigneurial residence. It is also known as the Tourette and the Tour des Sarrasins.
The Musée de la 1ère Armée Française de Cortil-Noirmont traces the operations of the French army in Belgium in 1940 through numerous military objects. It is housed in the classrooms of the former school. In May 1940, a Moroccan regiment established its headquarters in these rooms. The site thus connects the history of the school building with the military history of that time.
The Moulin de Cortil stands at the confluence of the Orne and the Ry d’Ernage. Although it ceased operating in 1976, its machinery remains well preserved; the mill is privately owned. The two Gallo-Roman tumuli of Noirmont are associated with 160 AD. Excavations uncovered numerous high-quality objects, probably dating from the 2nd century, which are held at the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels.
The chapel in Gentinnes was inaugurated on 7 May 1967. The radial-plan building has 200 seats and features remarkable stained-glass windows by Yves Dehais of Nantes. A Brabantine farmhouse in Chastre dates from the second half of the 17th century. Together with the tower, museum and archaeological remains, it illustrates the diverse historical points of interest in Chastre.
Discover more destinations: Zaventem, Landen, Rebecq, Leuven, Meise, Huldenberg, Diest, Jodoigne.
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