The Cistercian abbey Notre Dame du Val-Dieu in the heart of the Land of Herve is the starting point of this trail that combines two regional walks: the 'Balade de Saint-Jean-Sart' and the 'Balade du Chemin du Diable'. The Abbey was founded in 1216 by Cistercians in the valley of the Berwinne, which used to have the name Valley of the Devil. To ward off fate, the monks baptized the valley Val-Dieu, the valley of God.
Distance: 10 km.
Time: 3h30.
Grade: Easy.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: 232 meters.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: Blue diamond and Blue-White.
Hiking shoes recommended.
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From the valley of the devil to the valley of God.
During the walk, the typical hedges, hollow roads, meadows, picturesque villages and farms alternate. First it goes towards Knuppelstock where an orientation table is made of blue stone, here you have a beautiful view. In the village of Saint-Jean-Sart you can find a water source where the residents get their drinking water. The inscription "j'ai vu naître Saint Jean-Sart - 1216" (I saw Saint Jean-Sart born) is visible on the wall where the water pipe flows from the well.
Download PDf for route description.
Some paths can be very soggy.
The track passes right past pastures with a cattle fence. It is possible that animals graze in the meadows. In that case you can walk around the meadows.
POI 1 - The Abbey of Val-Dieu.
The abbey was founded in 1216 at the confluence of the Bel and the Berwinne. The Cistercian monks settled in isolated places. Their goal was to withdraw from the world and to choose an environment that was uninhabited, usually in a valley. The only possibility to survive was through the processing of the soils, so that they developed into fertile areas. The Cistercians, initiated by Robert van Molesme, sought a return to the ideal of the Rule of Benediktus. The valley of the Berwinne fulfilled this. Located on the border of the Duchy of Limburg and the county of Dalhem, the establishment of Val-Dieu was the beginning of the development of the characteristic landscape of the land of Herve. Throughout the year, guided tours of the abbey and the brewery are organized from Monday to Saturday. A great opportunity to discover the history of the abbey and the process of beer production. In the abbey beer has been brewed since 1997 in a traditional way. The beer is not pasteurized and has no additives. In addition to the beer, the Rameau d'Olivier shop also sells other locally made products as well as regional specialties.
Abbey of Val-Dieu.
www.abbaye-du-val-dieu.be.
POI 2 - The land of Herve.
The Land of Herve is famous for its ramparts, such as the Norman 'bocages', but in a Belgian version. Meadows and plantations with fruit trees, trimmed with hedges, form the attractive backdrop of a fresh green area with soft hills and valleys.
Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Herve.
www.paysdeherve.be.
