New cycling guide to discover the most beautiful Walloon villages

Featuring Belgian gems from Aubechie to Weris, the association "Les plus beaux villages de Wallonie" (The Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia) has launched a new publication designed to help cyclists discover its network of 33 traditional villages spread out over the region.

The guide, produced for the 30th anniversary of the association’s creation, features 12 cycling tours of a few dozen kilometres across the Walloon provinces. The rides link one or more of the villages in the network by waymarks and by the Ravel network.

Various points of interest are also indicated on the maps to help cyclists discover the local heritage or enjoy the hotel accommodation and restaurants, brasseries or cafes on offer.

Exceptional viewpoints, tourist information centres, nearby train stations and shops offering bike hire or repair facilities are also indicated for each stage of the tour.

For example, the fourth round trip goes from the Meuse to the Somme rivers. Called “the real nature of the Condroz”, this long cycle ride takes in the delightful villages of Crupet, Chardeneux, Thon-Samson and Mozet.

The Cycloguide is available to buy online from the www.beauxvillages.bewebsite, as well as from the association's partner tourist offices.

Itineraries and GPS indications can also be found on the site. This offers a wealth of information about each of the villages including myriad walking tours, local news, special events, where to stay, where to eat and extra ideas.

Each village in the ‘Most Beautiful Villages’ network reflects “a strong local identity and traditional architecture,” the organisation said. “It aims to promote Wallonia’s rural, cultural and natural heritage, and is committed to the development of responsible local tourism.”