Roads and trails for every cyclist
With its rolling terrain, greenways along the Sambre and forest trails, the area around Donstiennes is an ideal playground for cycling. Whether you prefer the flat RAVeL paths with the family, the panoramic roads of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse or the mountain bike singletracks in the Beaumont woods, you will find your two-wheeled adventure here.
RAVeL along the Sambre
The greenway follows the Sambre from Thuin to Lobbes on a smooth, flat surface. Ideal for families or a leisurely ride, this former railway line offers a safe, car-free route.
Hilly roads of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse
The small country roads offer rolling terrain perfect for sport cycling. The circuit via Beaumont, Rance and Solre-Saint-Géry covers 35 km of picturesque roads with 350 m of elevation gain.
Mountain biking in the Beaumont forests
The forests around Donstiennes conceal a network of forest tracks and technical singletracks. The Bois de Beaumont and the forests of Rance offer varied routes for all mountain biking levels.
Electric bike hire
Several electric bike hire outlets operate in the region, notably in Thuin and at the Lakes of Eau d'Heure. An e-bike lets you enjoy the hilly landscape without excessive effort.
The RAVeL network: safe greenways
The RAVeL (Réseau Autonome de Voies Lentes) is the Walloon network of greenways built on former railway lines and along waterways. Around Donstiennes, line L109 follows the Sambre and offers a flat, asphalted route perfect for families with children or for a relaxed ride after a day of sightseeing. From the estate, you can reach the RAVeL in just a few minutes and cycle to Thuin (15 km), passing the ruins of Abbaye d'Aulne — a well-deserved beer stop halfway. Continuing towards Lobbes, you will discover the Collegiate Church of Saint-Ursmer, one of the oldest religious buildings in Belgium.
Road cycling: a hilly playground
The Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse is nicknamed the 'little Ardennes' for its hilly roads that evoke the routes of the great Belgian cycling classics. The small municipal roads between Donstiennes, Beaumont, Rance and Chimay offer sustained climbing with short but steep ascents, ideal for training or sporty cycle-touring. The Countryside Loop (35 km) takes you through the finest panoramas of the region, passing the Marble Museum in Rance and the Tour Salamandre in Beaumont. For the more ambitious, the loop can be extended towards Chimay (65 km), including a traverse of the forests of Virelles.
Practical information
RAVeL access
20 min on foot from the estate
Best season
March to October
Duration
1h to 4h depending on the route
Tip
E-bikes for hire in Thuin and at the Lakes of Eau d'Heure