Hautain-le-Val Castle – Château de Houtain-le-Val loop from Frasnes-lez-Gosselies
Hautain-le-Val Castle – Château de Houtain-le-Val loop from Frasnes-lez-Gosselies
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Hautain-le-Val Castle – Château de Houtain-le-Val loop from Frasnes-lez-Gosselies
01:36
25.8km
170m
Cycling
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: June 26, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
7.08 km
Hautain-le-Val Castle
Highlight • Castle
Only a few foundations remain of the old castle. The buildings subsequently erected have undergone many changes over the centuries according to the needs, insights and sometimes also the whims of the owners. The last restoration works date from 1904, turning the fortified castle of Houtain-le-Val into a pleasure garden.
In 1944, Nazi troops try to set the castle on fire, but with the help of all the villagers, the fire is quickly subdued.
burchten-kastelen.be/provincies/waals%20brabant/006%20Kasteel%20van%20Houtain%20le%20Val/Kasteel%20van%20Houtain%20le%20Val.html
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7.22 km
Château de Houtain-le-Val
Highlight • Castle
The castle actually belonged to the Duke of Brabant himself, Jan II the Peaceful. His successor, Jan III, acquired the castle for his eldest daughter, Johanna, who received Houtain from her father in 1345. The castle was passed down from generation to generation by the daughters of the family for many generations.
Not much remains of the original castle. It was rebuilt in 1763 in classical style, but has retained a large part of its medieval facade. The oldest parts date from the fifteenth century, with architectural elements from the 12th century. Much has changed since then. For example, two turrets were added during restoration work in 1850.
At a certain point, the castle came into the hands of the d'Hanins de Moerkerke family, originally from the Waas region. While most branches of this family made a name for themselves in Flanders, Count Fernand-Auguste-Joseph d'Hanins de Moerkerke married Marie de Waha in the nineteenth century. And so he became heir to the castle.
His son Henri d'Hanins de Moerkerke became the next owner and mayor of Houtain-le-Val. And he had three daughters, the last of whom died in 2018.
The castle is privately owned but can be viewed from various sides. For those, like me, who visited the village to find and follow the start of the Dijle, that private character is a pity - and also for heritage lovers of course. But at the point where you see a sign with the name of the river on the side of the domain you can see quite a bit, including how the river enters the domain.
For those who want more information about the castle itself, visit this website for a virtual tour of the castle with a video report and interview: tvcom.be/info/focus-sur-genappe-visite-du-chateau-de-houtain-le-val-fonde-en-1126/50810
Translated by Google •
Tip by
10.9 km
Concrete Pathway
Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway
Translated by Google •
Tip by
25.8 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
16.7 km
4.34 km
3.38 km
1.36 km
Surfaces
17.9 km
6.43 km
1.42 km
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (160 m)
Lowest point (110 m)
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Weather
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Thursday 9 July
29°C
15°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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