This is where we went to discover the routes of the next Trail de Chimay, which will be held on Saturday May 11 with three distances on the menu, from 11 to 50 km.
For our part, we set off for a short stroll along the 24.5 km, with some 350 meters of elevation gain on the menu. Without a glass of Chimay Dorée upon arrival, contrary to what is offered upon arrival to each participant during this event.
Chimay Trail: information and registration
Pays de Chimay forest: little-used trails
A trail that begins from the Auberge du Poteaupré, which also houses the Espace Chimay. Straight away, we dive into the forest for a loop heading towards Couvin on which we hardly come across anyone.
The first kilometers take us first through a well-maintained forest on clear paths towards Scourmont Abbey.
After returning to the road a few hundred meters and passing cows forcing us to slow down on our way, we head into the immensity of a forest where this time, in the heart of a very humid spring, the tracks are sometimes barely visible they welcome so few people. Branches, leaves, ruts, you have to be careful where you put your feet and it is not always easy to set your pace despite the absence of real difficulties on a good part of the route.
Lots of variety in decorations
What struck us during this outing was also the diversity of the landscapes and the playing field. There is one or the other brief passage on quiet roads but, above all, we have the impression of visit what trail running Belgium can offer in space in just a few kilometres.
At certain times, it feels like you are on the Hautes Fagnes plateau, with large open spaces of nature and a few paths that wind through dense but low vegetation.
In others, we are confronted with a typically rural landscape, with passages near cattle farms. And finally, we are mainly in a rich forest, sometimes conifers, sometimes deciduous trees on a route crossing several times the Eau Noire which provides, at times, a little relief. Particularly with a 90 meter bump of D + halfway through the 24 km.
Chimay Trail: information and registration
A course accessible to all
This Chimay Trail route ultimately offers a perfect loop for those looking for an experience that is both accessible and varied.
In small doses, there is a bit of everything you can find in Belgium on this track, with a wild side that we particularly appreciated between the 9th and 15th kilometers. Which, it seems, is even more marked on the 50 km route going almost to Couvin and displaying almost 1000 meters of D +, for those who wish to push the effort a little further.
The Chimay Trail in brief – Saturday May 11
- 8:00 a.m.: departure Trail from Chimay 50km
- 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.: Departure Chimay Walk 11km and 24km
- 10:00 a.m.: Departure from Chimay Trail 24km
- 11:00 : Departure from Chimay Trail 11km
- Place of departure : Auberge du Poteaupré, Rue du Poteaupré 5, 6464 Bourlers.
- More information and registration
