Saint-Hubert Forest Circuit

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Saint-Hubert Forest Circuit: Ardennes Forest Day Walk

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

450

Ranked #450 of 974

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HikeList Score

Saint-Hubert Forest Circuit scored 81/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 71
Accommodation 66
Food & support 88
Path quality 80
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Saint-Hubert Forest Circuit is a 21 km moderate loop in the Grande Foret de Saint-Hubert, in the Belgian Ardennes of Wallonia. It is a one-day walk, best known locally as the Bilaude circuit or SH04, waymarked with a horizontal blue rectangle. Expect mostly forest roads and dirt paths, peat-bog boardwalk, stream valleys and about 510 m of ascent. It suits hikers wanting a long, quiet Ardennes day walk rather than a multi-day trek; see more Belgian hiking routes for nearby options.

Route Overview

The loop starts and finishes at the Carrefour du Sapin Fi car park on Rue du Panorama, 6870 Saint-Hubert, on the edge of town. From there it heads into the Grande Foret de Saint-Hubert, linking forest tracks, fagnes, stream valleys and wildlife viewpoints. Key points include the Fagne/Boulaie du Rouge Ponce nature reserve and its wooden boardwalk, the Observatoire de Bilaude above Etang de Bilaude, the Ruisseau de la Donneuse, the Ri Romarin climb, Fagne du Rolis, Fond de Bilaude and the pont Colle/Mauricy bridge. For longer Ardennes walking, compare it with the GR 126 through the Semois and Meuse valleys or the Battle of the Bulge Trail.

Saint Hubert and the Forest’s Hunting Heritage

Saint-Hubert is named after Saint Hubert of Liege, patron saint of hunters and known as the Apostle of the Ardennes. According to legend, a vision of a crucifix between a stag’s antlers prompted his conversion. His relics were brought in 825 to the Benedictine Abbey of Andage, later renamed the Abbey of Saint-Hubert; its church is now the Basilica of Saint-Hubert. The surrounding Grande Foret was long associated with noble hunting, and that tradition still shapes the town’s identity.

Notable highlights

Fagne du Rouge Ponce nature reserve: A peat-bog birch forest on the Freyr plateau, crossed on a wooden boardwalk of about 1 km. It is one of Wallonia’s oldest state nature reserves and feels markedly different from the surrounding conifer forest.
Observatoire de Bilaude: A wildlife hide overlooking Etang de Bilaude, where red deer and roe deer come to drink. It is a good place to pause quietly without disturbing animals.
Basilica of Saint-Hubert: The town’s former Benedictine abbey church, with a Gothic interior behind a Baroque facade. It holds the relics of Saint Hubert and is worth visiting before or after the walk.
Ri Romarin climb: A steep roughly 1.5 km ascent beside the Ri Romarin stream. This is the hardest section of the circuit and rougher underfoot than the main forest roads.
Grande Foret de Saint-Hubert: A large Ardennes forest massif with deep woodland, fagnes and stream valleys. The area is being incorporated into the Nassonia rewilding project.

Challenges to expect

The route is not technical, but 21 km and roughly 510 m of ascent make it a full day. The steep Ri Romarin section is the main physical test. Expect mud after rain, wet Ardennes weather, mist and some asphalt as well as gravel and dirt. Follow the horizontal blue rectangle, but carry a map or GPS because forest signs can be obscured.

450

Ranked #450 of 974

See the Top 100 →